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Miguel

♂ Boy

Pronounced mih-GEL /mɪˈɡɛl/High

Meaning: Who is like God? (a rhetorical question implying none can compare)High

In 30 seconds: The Spanish and Portuguese form of Michael, the Hebrew archangel name meaning 'who is like God?' One of the most enduringly popular names across the Spanish-speaking world.
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Origin HighHebrew, Spanish, Portuguese
MeaningWho is like God? (a rhetorical question implying none can compare)
Peak year2007
Total births (all-time)≈ 174,565

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200718802017

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Miguel is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Michael, which derives from the Hebrew מִיכָאֵל (Mikha'el), meaning 'who is like God?' — a rhetorical question emphasizing the incomparability of God. The Archangel Michael appears in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic scriptures, giving the name enormous cross-cultural prestige throughout history.

Miguel has been a top boys' name across Spain, Portugal, and Latin America for centuries. In the United States it has ranked consistently in the top 100 as the Hispanic population grew throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. The 2017 Pixar film Coco, whose protagonist is Miguel Rivera, reinforced its cultural visibility.

Did you know? Michael/Miguel ranks among the top baby names in dozens of countries simultaneously — making it one of the most widely used given names in the entire world.

Variations

MichaelMichelMihailMikael

Nicknames

MikeMigMiguelito

Famous Bearers

  • ★Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616)
    Spanish author of <em>Don Quixote</em>, often called the first modern novel.
  • ★Miguel Cabrera (b. 1983)
    Venezuelan-American MLB first baseman, two-time MVP.

If you like Miguel…

Mateo— popular Spanish-origin boys' name with deep roots
Sebastian— long classic name common across the Spanish-speaking world
Andres— Spanish form of a classic name equally popular in Latin America
Alejandro— another iconic Spanish boys' name with broad appeal

Frequently Asked

What does the name Miguel mean?

Miguel is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Michael, from Hebrew meaning 'who is like God?' — a statement of divine uniqueness.

How do you pronounce Miguel?

Miguel is pronounced mih-GEL (/mɪˈɡɛl/) — two syllables with stress on the second.

Is Miguel a boy or girl name?

Miguel is used exclusively as a boy's name.

How popular is Miguel?

Miguel has been a consistent top-100 U.S. boys' name for decades, driven by the large and growing Hispanic community.