Michael ( /ˈmaɪkəl/), also occasionally Micheal, is a given name that comes from the Hebrew: מִיכָאֵל / מיכאל (Mikha'el), derived from the question מי כאל (mi k'ʔel) meaning "Who is like God?" In English, it is sometimes shortened to Mike, Mikey, Mickey, or Mick.
Female forms of Michael include Michèle, Michelle, Michaela, Mechelle, Micheline, and Michaelle, although Michael is occasionally seen as a female name, with women named Michael including actresses Michael Learned and Michael Michele. Another form is Mychal, which can either be a male or female name.
Surnames that come from Michael include Carmichael, Dimichele, MacMichael, McMichael, Micallef, Michaelson, Mikkelsen, Mikhaylov, Mykhaylenko, Michaels and Mitchell.
Read more about Michael: Etymology, Popularity, Short Form and Other Versions
Famous quotes containing the word michael:
“Sometimes we have to go through the darkness alone, before we can see the light.”
—Adele Comandini. Edward Sutherland. Michael O’Brien (Charles Winninger)
“I stick my neck out for nobody. I’m the only cause I’m interested in.”
—Julius J. Epstein, screenwriter, Philip Epstein, screenwriter, and Howard Koch, screenwriter. Michael Curtiz. Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart)
“Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition.”
—Monty Python’s Flying Circus. first broadcast Sept. 22, 1970. Michael Palin, in Monty Python’s Flying Circus (BBC TV comedy series)