What Is the Meaning of the Name Michelle?
Michelle is a frequently used girl name. Learn more about the meaning of the name Michelle, along with its origin and popularity.
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The meaning of the name Michelle is an anglicized version of the masculin French name Michel. Michel is derived from Michael, a Hebrew name introduced in the bible. The name Michelle means “who resembles God."
If you are a parent with a faith tradition, this name might have strong appeal. But you don't have to be religious to appreciate this versatile name.
Michelle has been around for almost a century and was an extremely popular choice for parents in the 1960s and 70s. So, not only are plenty of today's parents (and even some grandparents) named Michelle, but there are also many Michelles to be found on the big screen.
Who knows, maybe your Michelle will be the next Obama? But no matter who your Michelle turns out to be, your child will have a classic name to make all their own.
Related: 80 Cottagecore Names for Bucolic Babies
Origin: French/Hebrew
Gender: The name Michelle is most often given as a girl's name.
Pronunciation: Mish-ell
Although many baby names are separated by gender, Parents believes that sex does not need to play a role in your name selection process. It’s important to select a name that you feel suits your new baby the best.
How Popular Is the Name Michelle?
The name Michelle entered the top 1000 charts in 1938, in 963rd place. It gradually made its way up until 1954, when it reached the top 100.
From there, Michelle continued to rise in popularity. In 1966, it reached the top 10, where it remained until 1981.
Michelle's most popular years were 1968, 1969, 1971, and 1972, when it ranked second. In 2008, Michelle dropped out of the top 100. As of 2023, the name Michelle ranked 401st.
Name Variations
There are some variations of the name Michelle, including:
Machell (Hebrew, French)
Micheline (French)
Mychelle (French)
Mikaela (Swedish, Finnish)
Shelley (Old England)
Similar Names
Here are some names with a similar vibe to Michelle:
Ashley
Amanda
Charlotte
Claire
Danielle
Erica
Katelyn
Kathleen
Kirsten
Leanne
Maureen
Paula
Rachael
Sarah
Suzanne
Other French baby names to consider:
Anais
Avril
Camille
Collette
Chantelle
Chloe
Denise
Elodie
Fleur
Jeanne
Manon
Monique
Nicolette
Oceane
Yvonne
Other baby names that start with M:
Madison
Margot
Marla
Marlow
Martine
Maxine
Melissa
Melanie
Mila
Morgan
Monica
Montana
Manda
Myleen
Mya
Nicknames for Michelle
Common nicknames for Michelle include:
Chelle
Shell
Shelly
Mich
Mish
Mischa
Suggested Sibling Names for Michelle
Potential sibling names for Michelle could be:
Abigail
Adam
Bethany
Carter
Dani
Elliot
Frankie
Gigi
Harry
Isabella
Kate
Leo
Nicholas
Owen
Stephanie
Zoe
Famous People Named Michelle
Here’s a list of famous people who are also named Michelle:
Michelle Branch, an American singer
Michelle Borth, an American actor
Michelle Dockery, an English actor
Michelle Kwan, an American Olympic figure skater
Michelle Monaghan, an American actor
Michelle Obama, the Former First Lady of the United States
Michelle Pfieffer, an American actor
Michelle Rodriquez, an American actor
Michelle Williams, an American actor
More Baby Names
Still searching for the perfect baby name? Check out these related baby name lists for even more options:
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Read the original article on Parents.