Michaella
A feminine name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God".
Name Census estimates that about 2,194 living Americans carry the first name Michaella. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Michaella today is around 27 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Michaella births was 1997 (141 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Michaella. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
2.2K
~ 1 in 156,223 Americans
Peak year
1997
141 babies that year
Average age
27
years old
2024 SSA rank
#5,087
Tracked since 1941
Popularity
Michaella: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Michaella from the 1940s through to the 2020s, spanning 9 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1990s, with 924 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1990s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Michaella by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Michaella during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Michaellas live
The SSA's state-level files cover 17 states and territories. California, Florida, New York recorded the most babies named Michaella, while Utah, Georgia, Colorado recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 43 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Michaella
The name Michaella has its origins in the Greek language, derived from the Hebrew name Michael, which means "who is like God." This name can be traced back to ancient times and has been used across various cultures and religions.
The earliest recorded use of the name Michaella dates back to the Middle Ages, particularly in Christian communities. It was often used as a feminine variation of the male name Michael, which was popular among early Christians due to its association with the Archangel Michael, a prominent figure in the Bible.
One of the earliest known references to the name Michaella can be found in medieval records from Italy and France. During this period, several notable women bore this name, including Michaella de Corbie, a French noblewoman born in the late 12th century, and Michaella di Firenze, an Italian painter and illuminator who lived in the 14th century.
In the 16th century, the name gained popularity in England and other parts of Europe. One of the most famous bearers of the name was Michaella Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle-upon-Tyne (1623-1673), an English writer, philosopher, and playwright. She was a prominent figure in the literary circles of her time and is known for her extensive writings on various subjects.
Another notable historical figure with the name Michaella was Michaella Mercati (1541-1593), an Italian botanist and physician. She made significant contributions to the study of plants and was one of the first women to be elected to the Accademia dei Lincei, one of the oldest scientific academies in Europe.
In the 18th century, Michaella Schippers (1711-1786), a Dutch painter and printmaker, gained recognition for her intricate etchings and engravings depicting landscapes and architectural scenes. Her works were highly sought after by collectors during her lifetime and continue to be appreciated by art enthusiasts today.
Michaella Edmondson (1835-1856), an English poet and writer, is another notable figure from the 19th century. Despite her short life, she left behind a collection of poetry that explored themes of love, nature, and spirituality, showcasing her talent and poetic sensibilities.
These are just a few examples of the many notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Michaella. While its usage has evolved over time, the name has maintained its connection to its Greek and Hebrew roots, reflecting its association with divine qualities and religious significance.
People
Michaella + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Michaella as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with M
Other first names starting with M with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Michaella: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Michaella?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 2,194 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Michaella going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 156,223 US residents.
Is Michaella a common name?
We classify Michaella as "Rare". It ranks above 94.1% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 2,275 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Michaella most popular?
The single biggest year for Michaella was 1997, when 141 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Michaella is about 27 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Michaella a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Michaella in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.