Mishelle
A feminine name derived from the biblical Hebrew name Michael, meaning "who is like God?"
Name Census estimates that about 1,075 living Americans carry the first name Mishelle. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Mishelle today is around 41 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Mishelle births was 1969 (54 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Mishelle. 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
1.1K
~ 1 in 318,841 Americans
Peak year
1969
54 babies that year
Average age
41
years old
2024 SSA rank
#14,660
Tracked since 1954
Popularity
Mishelle: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Mishelle from the 1950s through to the 2020s, spanning 8 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1960s, with 305 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1960s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Mishelle 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 Mishelle during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Mishelles live
The SSA's state-level files cover 7 states and territories. California, Ohio, Florida recorded the most babies named Mishelle, while Texas, Michigan, Indiana recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 14 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Mishelle
The name Mishelle has its origins in the Hebrew language and culture, dating back to ancient times. It is believed to be a variant or diminutive form of the name Michael, which means "who is like God" in Hebrew. The name Michael has its roots in the biblical figure of the archangel Michael, who is revered in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
In the Old Testament of the Bible, the name Michael appears several times, referring to the archangel who led the heavenly armies against the forces of evil. The name gained popularity among Jewish and Christian communities, and its variants, including Mishelle, became widespread over time.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Mishelle can be found in historical records from medieval Europe. In the 13th century, a French noblewoman named Mishelle de Montfort was mentioned in chronicles as a prominent figure during the Albigensian Crusade. However, the name's popularity remained relatively limited until more recent times.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Mishelle. In the world of literature, Mishelle Mahuziér (1717-1790) was a French writer and philosopher during the Age of Enlightenment, known for her contributions to the feminist movement. In the realm of art, Mishelle Labelle (1901-1987) was a Canadian painter renowned for her vibrant landscapes and portraits.
In the 20th century, Mishelle Pfeffer (1915-1992) was a Jewish resistance fighter during World War II, recognized for her bravery in rescuing fellow Jews from Nazi persecution. Another notable figure was Mishelle Duvalier (1920-2011), the former First Lady of Haiti, who played a significant role in her husband's dictatorial regime.
More recently, Mishelle Kwan (born 1980) is an American figure skater and two-time Olympic medalist, widely regarded as one of the greatest figure skaters of all time. Her exceptional talent and grace on the ice have inspired countless aspiring skaters around the world.
While the name Mishelle has its roots in ancient Hebrew traditions, it has transcended cultural and religious boundaries, becoming a popular choice for parents worldwide. Its enduring presence throughout history serves as a testament to the richness and diversity of names spanning various cultures and eras.
People
Mishelle + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Mishelle 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
Mishelle: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Mishelle?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 1,075 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Mishelle 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 318,841 US residents.
Is Mishelle a common name?
We classify Mishelle as "Rare". It ranks above 90.6% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 1,178 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Mishelle most popular?
The single biggest year for Mishelle was 1969, when 54 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Mishelle is about 41 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Mishelle a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Mishelle 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.