The name Mikey is a diminutive form of the given name Michael, which has its roots in the Hebrew language. Michael is derived from the elements "mi" meaning "who" and "cha-el" meaning "is like God?" or "one who is God-like." The name was borne by one of the archangels in the Bible and the Quran.

In ancient times, the name Michael was popular among Jewish and Christian communities. It has been used continuously in various cultures and languages, with different spellings and variations such as Micheal, Mikhail, and Miguel. The diminutive form Mikey emerged as a nickname, particularly in English-speaking countries.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Michael can be found in the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament, where the archangel Michael is depicted as the protector of the Israelites. In the New Testament, Michael is mentioned in the Book of Revelation as the leader of the heavenly armies against the forces of evil.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Mikey or its variants. One of the most famous was Mikey Walsh (1939-2007), an Irish actor known for his roles in films such as "The Commitments" and "The Snapper." Another noteworthy individual was Mikey Dread (1954-2008), a Jamaican reggae artist and producer who helped popularize the dub and dancehall genres.

In the realm of sports, Mikey Garcia (born 1987) is a professional boxer from the United States who has held multiple world championships in different weight classes. Mikey Siavii (born 1983) is a former professional rugby league player from New Zealand who represented the Samoan national team.

Additionally, Mikey Whipkey (1898-1937) was an American baseball player who played in the major leagues for several teams, including the Cleveland Indians and the St. Louis Browns, during the 1920s and 1930s.