The name Miguel is of Spanish and Portuguese origin, derived from the Hebrew name Michael. It means "who is like God?" In the Bible, Michael is one of the archangels who serves as a protector of the Jewish people.
The name Miguel has been popular in Spain for centuries, with many notable figures throughout history bearing this name. One famous Miguel is Miguel de Cervantes, the Spanish novelist and poet who wrote Don Quixote, considered one of the greatest works of fiction ever written. Another prominent figure is Miguel Indurain, a five-time Tour de France winner known as "Miguelón," meaning "Big Miguel" in Spanish.
The name Miguel has also been used by other languages and cultures around the world, such as Italian (Michele), French (Michel), German (Michael), and even English. In some countries like Mexico and South America, it is one of the most popular boy's names.
Throughout history, the name Miguel has been associated with strength, leadership, and courage, reflecting its biblical roots as a protector and defender. Today, many parents choose this name for their sons to carry on this powerful legacy. Whether you're Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, German, or of another descent, Miguel is a name that transcends borders and carries a rich history and meaning.
The name Miguel has seen a significant increase in popularity over the years in the United States, as indicated by the statistics provided for the number of births annually from 1880 to 2023.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the number of babies named Miguel remained relatively low, with fewer than 25 births per year between 1880 and 1929. However, starting in the 1930s, there was a gradual increase in the popularity of the name Miguel, with more than 100 births per year occurring annually from 1946 onwards.
The peak of popularity for the name Miguel occurred in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with over 3,000 babies named Miguel each year between 1989 and 1992. This trend continued throughout the 1990s, with the number of births remaining above 3,000 per year until 1999.
Since the turn of the century, the popularity of the name Miguel has seen some fluctuations, but it has remained consistently high. Between 2000 and 2022, there were more than 2,000 births named Miguel each year, with a total of over 186,938 babies named Miguel born in the United States during this period.
Overall, these statistics demonstrate that the name Miguel has become increasingly popular in the United States over time, particularly since the mid-20th century. Despite some recent fluctuations in popularity, it remains a widely chosen name for newborn boys.