Unisex name · peaked 1985

Michal

From Hebrew מִיכַל (mikhál, “Michal”).

Every Michal since 1911 — 7,813 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.020.040.060.0818801900192019401960198020002020GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Rank 2025
#4,320
among girls
Babies in 2025
48
named Michal
Peak year
1985
158 babies
All-time total
7,813
since 1911

The story of Michal

Michal is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #4,320 in 2025 with 33 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.

Since 1911, 7,813 American babies have been named Michal — about 52% girls and 48% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1985, when 158 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Michal stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Michal year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 33 #4,320 15 #6,049
2024 44 #3,558 9 #8,754
2023 42 #3,691 5 #13,501
2022 41 #3,750 19 #5,156
2021 31 #4,474 18 #5,271
2020 37 #3,888 17 #5,394
2019 31 #4,509 12 #7,039
2018 36 #4,052 16 #5,701
2017 49 #3,285 12 #6,972
2016 54 #3,088 22 #4,576
2015 38 #3,959 19 #5,001
2014 43 #3,637 22 #4,486
2013 35 #4,219 32 #3,382
2012 37 #4,091 26 #3,970
2011 60 #2,889 38 #3,029
2010 51 #3,238 41 #2,905
2009 48 #3,444 48 #2,613
2008 50 #3,361 57 #2,315
2007 44 #3,703 57 #2,294
2006 40 #3,835 63 #2,092
2005 48 #3,246 60 #2,072
2004 65 #2,578 62 #1,969
2003 46 #3,216 59 #1,977
2002 57 #2,695 47 #2,240
2001 58 #2,621 47 #2,210
2000 63 #2,449 69 #1,677
1995 60 #2,231 43 #1,977
1990 69 #1,983 69 #1,345
1985 90 #1,422 68 #1,130
1980 59 #1,859 34 #1,715
1975 53 #1,767 46 #1,272
1970 29 #2,558 44 #1,258
1965 28 #2,278 45 #1,121
1960 26 #2,352 52 #1,079
1955 35 #1,790 59 #982
1950 41 #1,444 37 #1,198
1945 30 #1,505 17 #1,676
1940 8 #3,420 9 #2,613
1935
1930
1925 7 #3,628
1920 9 #3,128
1915 6 #3,698
1910
1905
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Famous people named Michal

  1. Michal Politician · b. -1000
  2. Michal Kováč Politician · 1930–2016
  3. Michaël Dudok de Wit Film director · b. 1953
  4. Michal Bílek Soccer player · b. 1965
  5. Michal Kadlec Soccer player · b. 1984

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Michal mean?

From Hebrew מִיכַל (mikhál, “Michal”).

How popular is the name Michal in 2025?

Michal ranked #4,320 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 33 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Michal?

7,813 babies have been named Michal in the United States since 1911, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Michal most popular?

Michal peaked in 1985, when 158 newborns received the name.

Is Michal a boy or girl name?

Michal is used for both: about 52% of babies named Michal have been girls and 48% boys.

Is the name Michal rising or falling?

Michal has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Who are famous people named Michal?

Well-known people named Michal include Michal (politician), Michal Kováč (politician), Michaël Dudok de Wit (film director).

Names like Michal

Compare Michal with similar names →