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Mikayla

♀ Girl

Pronounced mih-KAY-lah /mɪˈkeɪ.lə/High

Meaning: Feminine spelling variant of Michaela, the feminine form of Michael, from the Hebrew Mikha'el (מִיכָאֵל), a rhetorical question meaning 'who is like God?' implying no one is — a statement of divine uniquenessHigh

In 30 seconds: Mikayla is a modern phonetic spelling of Michaela, the feminine form of Michael meaning 'who is like God.' The -ay- spelling gives it a breezy, contemporary look while sharing the timeless biblical meaning of one of the world's most enduring names.
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Origin HighHebrew
MeaningFeminine spelling variant of Michaela, the feminine form of Michael, from the Hebrew Mikha'el (מִיכָאֵל), a rhetorical question meaning 'who is like God?' implying no one is — a statement of divine uniqueness
U.S. rank (2025)#748 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births364 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1998
Total births (all-time)≈ 56,703

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199819702025

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

History & Origin

Mikayla is a creative phonetic spelling of Michaela, itself the feminine form of Michael. Michael derives from the Hebrew Mikha'el, a rhetorical question meaning 'who is like God?' Michael the Archangel is one of the most important figures in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic tradition.

Mikayla emerged in the United States in the late 20th century as one of many creative spellings of Michaela (Makayla, Mikaela, Mykala). It peaked in the 1990s and 2000s alongside other -ayla name variants. It remains a recognizable, familiar name with a fresh visual identity.

Did you know? The name Michael — which Mikayla derives from — has been the most popular baby name in the United States for much of the 20th century. The theological question 'who is like God?' embedded in the name was understood in ancient Hebrew as a rhetorical affirmation: no one is like God. This gives all Michael/Mikayla variants a quietly profound meaning.
Overall data confidence 90%
Behind the Name — Michaela — etymology and spelling variantsU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

MichaelaMakaylaMikaelaMykala

Nicknames

MikaKayKayla

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Mikayla…

Makayla— shares the identical pronunciation with a different spelling pattern — the most common variant
Michaela— the standard English spelling with identical meaning and same Hebrew origin
Kayla— shares the -ayla ending and the same breezy, accessible modern feminine quality
Layla— parallel -ayla ending name in the same popular American girls naming family

Frequently Asked

What does the name Mikayla mean?

Mikayla means 'who is like God?' — a rhetorical statement of divine uniqueness from Hebrew Mikha'el. It is a spelling variant of Michaela.

How do you pronounce Mikayla?

Mikayla is pronounced mih-KAY-lah /mɪˈkeɪ.lə/ — three syllables with stress on the second.

Is Mikayla the same as Makayla?

Mikayla and Makayla are pronounced identically. They are alternate spelling variants of the same name, Michaela.

Is Mikayla a popular name?

Mikayla was popular in the U.S. in the 1990s–2000s as part of the Michaela/Makayla naming wave. It has settled into a consistent classic status.