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Comments and insights on the name Michael: | Edit

In Hebrew, the name Michael means "who is like God"(mi-who, ke-as or like, El-deity), which in Talmudic tradition is interpreted as a rhetorical question: "Who is like God?" (which expects an answer in the negative) to imply that no one is like God. In this way, Michael is reinterpreted as a symbol of humility before God.
Michael is an archangel in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic tradition.
Michael (Hebrew: מִיכָאֵל‎ (pronounced ˌmixäˈʔel), Micha'el or Mîkhā'ēl; Greek: Μιχαήλ, Mikhaḗl; Latin: Michael or Míchaël; Serbian: Mihailo/Михаило(Mee-hay-lo); Arabic: ميخائيل‎, Mīkhā'īl) Miguel (Spanish) Miguelito; Mikaël, Mika'il /Mikaal (German),Mikael (Finnish: short form Mika)

In Serbia, there is very common last name Mihailovic, that derived from name Mihailo; or Mihalovski in MAcedonia.
South-Slavic female form is Mihaila(Mee-hay-lah)

Personal experiences with the name Michael: | Edit

Michael is the only name I know of that possesses a meaning that is actually a question, not a definitive statement.

My dad's name is Michael, but he goes by Mike. After he was born my grandfather liked it so much that he, too, decided to go by Mike.

My oldest son was named Michael, at a time when the name was not very popular (late 1980s), so it was funny to learn that he was pretty much the only Michael in school growing up, even though overall in the U.S. it is a very popular name. Michael always sounded like a "strong" name to me, and every Mike I could think of while growing up was just an all-around good guy, so the name had a positive connotaion for me. I loved the combination "Michael Bryant", so this is what I named him, and I learned years later that his friends thought his name was really neat. After seeing my son grow up over the years, this name brings to my mind a thoughtful, good-looking, intelligent person who is very mature for their age, and always has a nice circle of steady friends.

Growing up, I've known TONS of guys named Michael. I personally love the name, it is just one of those strong, sexy, cool boy names. Every Michael I've known have been great, attractive, friendly, and just overall nice guys. the same goes for Mike ;)

My bestfriend is named Michael and he is one of the most amazing guys that I know! He is very attractive and tall, plays basket ball and is pretty much the nicest guy ever! He was very shy around girls as a kid, still is to a point, but is very open and loving towards me. He also just understand and knows how I feel without me saying a word. He's also the first guy to call me "Cute", he's a special guy.

My dad's name is Michael, and my mom's name is Michelle. They get their mail mixed up a lot! Michelle is the female form of Michael. There's also Mikayla (with different spellings like michaela, Mickayla and others) and Kayla, which all come from the name Michael.

Nicknames for Michael: | Edit

"Mike", "Mick", "Mikiel", "Mikey", "Mikael", "Mic", "Mishka" (common in Russia), Miha and Mika(in Serbia) and "Mickey" are short forms of, or nicknames for, Michael as a given name. "Mick" is commonly associated with Irish people. I call my Husband Miguel

Meanings and history of the name Michael: | Edit

The most common men's name of the past two to three generations, 'Michael' is unusual in that its' meaning is actually a question ("Who is like unto God?") and not a definitive statement. It's origin is Hebrew.

The first mention of the name Michael in history is in the Bible (Numbers 13:13) referring to one of the seven archangels.

Michael is a warrior/archangel who fights Satan. A very good namesake.

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The meaning of the name Michael being "Who is like god?" Is actually supposed to be a rhetorical question, since no one (except for Jesus) was like god.

Famous real-life people named Michael: | Edit

Michael Jordan, American basketball player
Michael Emerson, American actor
Michael C. Hall, American actor
Michael Phelps, American Olympic-winning swimmer
Michael J. Fox, Canadian-American actor
Michael Vick, American football player
Michael J. Nelson, American comedian
Michael Jackson, American singer
Michael Landon, American actor
Michael Ryan Pritchard "Mike Dirnt" Bass player for Green Day
Michael Ealy, American actor
Michael Douglas, American actor
Michael Fassbender, German actor
Michael "Mikey" Way Bass player for the Jersey based band My Chemical Romance, Brother of Gerard Way
Michael Gambon, Irish actor
Michael Kors, American fashion designer

Michael in song, story & screen: | Edit

"Michael Row the Boat Ashore"
John Travolta angel movie "Michael"
Picture book "Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel"
'Mikey Likes It!' Famous Life Cereal commercial from the 1970s
Michael Dawson, character in the TV series, "Lost"
Archangel in the Bible
"Be like Mike" ad campaign about Michael Jordan.
Mike Tee Vee from Willy Wonka's golden ticket contest.
Michael Darling, youngest of the Darling children in Peter Pan
Michael Scott, character in the TV series "The Office"
Michael Corner, Ravenclaw student in the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Mike & The Mechanics, 80s/90s band
Michael (Jason Patric) in 1987's "The Lost Boys"
Michael Corleone, charcter in the godfather.
Character in Dr. Suess' "One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish". Quote "We have a bike. It is made for three. Our Mike sits up in back you see. We like our Mike, and this is why: Mike does all the work when the hills get high."
Michael Staccato Vincent Hodgins-Angela and Hodgins' son on "Bones"
Childs show called Mike the Knight.