Michial
A masculine name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?"
Name Census estimates that about 879 living Americans carry the first name Michial. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Michial today is around 63 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Michial births was 1954 (57 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Michial. 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
879
~ 1 in 389,937 Americans
Peak year
1954
57 babies that year
Average age
63
years old
1994 SSA rank
#8,438
Tracked since 1925
Popularity
Michial: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Michial from the 1920s through to the 1990s, spanning 8 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1950s, with 414 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1950s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Michial 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 Michial during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Michials live
The SSA's state-level files cover 6 states and territories. Texas, California, Michigan recorded the most babies named Michial, while Oregon, Kentucky, Arkansas recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 12 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Michial
The name Michial originates from the Hebrew language and culture, with its roots traced back to ancient biblical times. It is a variant spelling of the name Michael, which derives from the Hebrew phrase "mi ka-El," meaning "who is like God." This name was prominent among the Israelites and has been associated with the Archangel Michael, a figure revered in both Jewish and Christian traditions.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Michial appears in the Book of Numbers in the Hebrew Bible, where it was borne by one of the tribal leaders of the Israelites during the Exodus from Egypt. This biblical reference underscores the antiquity and significance of the name within the Judeo-Christian tradition.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the name Michial. In the 4th century AD, Saint Michial of Synnada was a Christian martyr who endured persecution for his faith during the reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Another prominent figure was Michial Scot, a 13th-century Scottish philosopher, mathematician, and translator who played a pivotal role in introducing Aristotelian philosophy to the Latin West.
During the Renaissance period, Michial Angelo Buonarroti (1475-1564), known as Michelangelo, was an Italian Renaissance artist widely regarded as one of the greatest artists of all time, renowned for his works such as the Sistine Chapel ceiling and the iconic sculpture of David. His name, a variant of Michial, further solidified the name's place in cultural history.
In the realm of literature, Michial Drayton (1563-1631) was an English poet who gained recognition for his topographical poems, including the famous "Poly-Olbion." His works celebrated the landscapes and history of England, contributing to the preservation of cultural heritage through his writings.
Another notable figure was Michial Faraday (1791-1867), an English scientist who made groundbreaking contributions to the study of electromagnetism and electrochemistry. His pioneering work laid the foundations for modern fields of physics and chemistry, cementing his legacy as one of the most influential scientists of the 19th century.
These examples illustrate the rich history and cultural significance of the name Michial, which has been borne by individuals across various disciplines, ranging from religious figures to artists, poets, and scientists, leaving an indelible mark on the tapestry of human civilization.
People
Michial + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Michial 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
Michial: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Michial?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 879 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Michial 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 389,937 US residents.
Is Michial a common name?
We classify Michial as "Very Rare". It ranks above 89.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 1,123 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Michial most popular?
The single biggest year for Michial was 1954, when 57 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Michial is about 63 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Michial a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Michial in the SSA data are male. 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.