The name Mikel is derived from the Hebrew name Michael, which means "who is like God?". Its origins can be traced back to the 8th century BC in ancient Israel. The name is derived from the roots "mi" meaning "who" and "el" meaning "God".

In the Bible, Michael is one of the principal archangels and is described as the leader of the heavenly armies against Satan and his forces. He is mentioned in the Book of Daniel, the Book of Revelation, and the Epistle of Jude. The name gained popularity after the rise of Christianity and spread throughout Europe.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Mikel is in the 9th century AD, when it was used by a Basque prince named Mikel Semenovitch. The name was particularly popular in the Basque regions of Spain and France, where it was often spelled as "Mikel" or "Mikele".

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals named Mikel. In the 12th century, Mikel de Ahuntzio was a Basque writer and philosopher known for his works on ethics and metaphysics. In the 16th century, Mikel Elizaizkin was a Basque explorer who accompanied Juan Sebastián Elcano on the first circumnavigation of the world.

During the Renaissance, Mikel Angelo Buonarroti (1475-1564) was an Italian artist, sculptor, and architect, best known for his masterpieces such as the Sistine Chapel ceiling and the statue of David. Another famous Mikel was Mikel Servetus (1511-1553), a Spanish theologian and polymath who was controversially executed for heresy.

In the 20th century, Mikel Unamuno (1864-1936) was a renowned Spanish philosopher, writer, and poet, known for his existentialist works and his opposition to the Franco regime. Mikel Foucault (1926-1984) was a French philosopher, social theorist, and literary critic, whose works explored themes of power, knowledge, and discourse.