How to say it
mi · GUEL
miˈɡɛl
Masculine
Miguel
Who is like God?
What it means
Spanish and Portuguese form of Michael, from Hebrew Mikhaʾel ('who is like God?'). The archangel's name across Spanish-speaking countries.
Miguel is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Michael, from the Hebrew Mikhaʾel ('who is like God?'). The Archangel Michael, leader of the heavenly host, is among the most-depicted figures in Catholic art. Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616), author of Don Quixote, is one of the strongest cultural anchors for the name in the Hispanic literary tradition. Miguel Hidalgo led Mexico's independence movement. The R&B singer Miguel (born Miguel Jontel Pimentel) is the modern English-language anchor. The name has been in the US top 100 since the early 1980s with Latino population growth.
How to spell Miguel
The standard spelling is Miguel. Common variants include Michael, Michele, Mikhail, but Miguel is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #86 in 2000, currently #212 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
Migue and Mike both circulate; in Latino families the full Miguel often stays.
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.
- Miguel de Cervantes Spanish novelist, author of Don Quixote
- Miguel Hidalgo Mexican priest who launched the Mexican War of Independence in 1810
- Miguel (singer) American R&B singer Miguel Pimentel, Adorn and Sky Walker
Spelling variants
- Michael
- Michele
- Mikhail
Names with the same feeling
See Miguel from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Miguel mean?
- Spanish and Portuguese form of Michael, from Hebrew Mikhaʾel ('who is like God?'). The archangel's name across Spanish-speaking countries.
- What does Miguel mean in Spanish?
- In Spanish, Miguel means "Who is like God?." Miguel is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Michael, from the Hebrew Mikhaʾel ('who is like God?'). The Archangel Michael, leader of the heavenly host, is among the most-depicted figures in Catholic art. Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616), author of Don Quixote, is one of the strongest cultural anchors for the name in the Hispanic literary tradition. Miguel Hidalgo led Mexico's independence movement. The R&B singer Miguel (born Miguel Jontel Pimentel) is the modern English-language anchor. The name has been in the US top 100 since the early 1980s with Latino population growth.
- How do you pronounce Miguel?
- Miguel is pronounced miˈɡɛl. Say it as mi-GUEL, with the stress on the "guel" syllable.
- How do you spell Miguel?
- The standard spelling is Miguel. Common spelling variants include Michael, Michele, Mikhail.
- Is Miguel a boy or girl name?
- Miguel is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Miguel?
- Miguel ranked #212 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.