Find out how popular the first name Machelle has been for the last 42 years (from 1974 to 2015) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Machelle by gender

Based on the last 42 years of data, Machelle is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2015, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Machelle.

The history of the first name Machelle

The name Machelle is a feminine given name derived from the French masculine name Michel, which ultimately traces its roots back to the Hebrew name Michael, meaning "who is like God?". The name Michael was widely popular among early Christians and eventually made its way into various European languages, with the French form Michel emerging as a distinct name in its own right.

In the Middle Ages, the name Michel was commonly used in France and other parts of Western Europe. As French culture and language spread throughout the region, various diminutive forms and feminine versions of Michel began to appear, including Machelle, which likely emerged as a creative spelling variation in the 19th or early 20th century.

While the name Machelle does not have a long historical record, it shares its roots with the venerable name Michael, which has been prominently featured in various religious texts and historical accounts over the centuries. For instance, the Archangel Michael is mentioned in the Bible, the Quran, and other sacred scriptures, often depicted as a warrior and protector.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Machelle was Machelle Eastman, an American actress born in 1946, who appeared in several films and television shows in the 1970s and 1980s. Another notable figure was Machelle Lyne, an American professional wrestler active in the 1990s, known for her time in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE).

Other historical figures with the name Machelle include Machelle Allman, an American musician and singer-songwriter born in 1954, who was a member of the rock band Widespread Panic. Machelle Hackney, born in 1952, was an American sprinter who competed in the 1972 and 1976 Olympic Games, winning a gold medal in the 4×400 meters relay.

Finally, Machelle Parrish, born in 1962, is an American professional basketball player and coach who played in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and coached several collegiate and professional teams throughout her career.

While the name Machelle may not have a long and storied history, its connection to the ancient name Michael and its unique spelling variation have contributed to its enduring use as a feminine given name over the past century.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Machelle was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Machelle, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!