Michael is a name of Hebrew origin that means "who is like God?" It is derived from the angel Michael who was mentioned in the Bible and later became a patron saint in Christianity. The name has been popular throughout history, with many notable figures bearing it, such as the Renaissance artist Michelangelo Buonarroti and the musician Michael Jackson. It has also been used by many royalty, including King Michael I of Romania and Grand Duke Michael I of Luxembourg. Today, Michael remains a popular name worldwide, ranking consistently in the top 100 names for boys in many countries.
The name Michael has been a popular choice for parents in the United States over the years, with a total of 28 babies named Michael born between 1976 and 1988. The peak year for births with this name was 1988, with 8 newborn Michaels. However, it's interesting to note that there were also periods where the name was less common, such as in 1983 and 1985 when only 5 babies were named Michael each year. Despite these fluctuations, the name Michael has consistently been among the top choices for parents over this decade-long span.