How to say it
mi · CHELLE
miˈʃɛl
Feminine
Michelle
Who is like God?
What it means
The French feminine of Michael, from the Hebrew for 'who is like God?'
Michelle is the French feminine form of Michael, from the Hebrew mikha'el, a rhetorical question meaning 'who is like God?' The Beatles song Michelle made it a global hit in the 1960s, and it stayed a top name for decades. First Lady Michelle Obama keeps it dignified and current. Shelly and Mich are shorts. Said mee-SHEL.
How to spell Michelle
The standard spelling is Michelle. Common variants include Michele, Michèle, Mishell, but Michelle is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #2 in 1968, currently #465 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Nickname
Shelly, Mich.
- Pop culture
The Beatles song Michelle; Michelle Obama.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Michelle Obama lawyer, author, and former US First Lady
Spelling variants
- Michele
- Michèle
- Mishell
Names with the same feeling
See Michelle from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Michelle mean?
- The French feminine of Michael, from the Hebrew for 'who is like God?'
- What does Michelle mean in French?
- In French, Michelle means "Who is like God?." Michelle is the French feminine form of Michael, from the Hebrew mikha'el, a rhetorical question meaning 'who is like God?' The Beatles song Michelle made it a global hit in the 1960s, and it stayed a top name for decades. First Lady Michelle Obama keeps it dignified and current. Shelly and Mich are shorts. Said mee-SHEL.
- How do you pronounce Michelle?
- Michelle is pronounced miˈʃɛl. Say it as mi-CHELLE, with the stress on the "chelle" syllable.
- How do you spell Michelle?
- The standard spelling is Michelle. Common spelling variants include Michele, Michèle, Mishell.
- Is Michelle a boy or girl name?
- Michelle is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Michelle?
- Michelle ranked #465 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.