Mekhi

♂ Boy

Pronounced muh-KY /məˈkaɪ/High

Meaning: Who is like God? — a creative spelling of Micah or Mikey/Mikhi, from Hebrew mi-ka-el (who is like God?)Medium

In 30 seconds: A creative spelling meaning 'who is like God?,' derived from Micah or a transliteration of the Hebrew mi-ka-el. Actor Mekhi Phifer brought this unique spelling into American cultural awareness.

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Origin MediumHebrew

MeaningWho is like God? — a creative spelling of Micah or Mikey/Mikhi, from Hebrew mi-ka-el (who is like God?)

U.S. rank (2025)#1174 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births176 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2005

Total births (all-time)≈ 12,350

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Mekhi is a creative spelling, possibly of Micah or an attempt to render the Hebrew mi-ka-el (who is like God?) in a distinctive phonetic form. The -ekhi ending echoes biblical Hebrew. As a given name it is virtually uniquely American.

Mekhi appeared in U.S. birth data primarily from the 1990s, following actor Mekhi Phifer's rise to fame. It ranked #1024 for boys in 2024.

Did you know? Mekhi Phifer (born 1974) is an American actor best known for 8 Mile (2002), in which he played Future alongside Eminem — a film widely considered one of the best hip-hop films ever made.

Overall data confidence 75%

U.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

MikhiMikey

Nicknames

Mek

Famous Bearers

★Mekhi Phifer (1974–present)
American actor known for his role in 8 Mile (2002) alongside Eminem, and his television role in ER.

If you like Mekhi…

Micah— the Hebrew name Mekhi likely derives from

Malachi— Hebrew prophet name with the same -i ending and biblical feel

Makhi— another creative -khi spelling in the same American tradition

Khalid— Arabic masculine name with the same kh-sound and two-syllable quality

Kareem— Arabic masculine name with the same -eem ending feel

Explore names like Mekhi

By themehebrew american two-syllable creative-spelling

By meaningGod / Divine

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Mekhi mean?

Mekhi means 'who is like God?,' a creative spelling related to Hebrew Micah or mi-ka-el (who is like God?).

How do you pronounce Mekhi?

It's said muh-KY — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Mekhi a boy or girl name?

Mekhi is used as a boys' name.

How popular is Mekhi?

Mekhi ranked #1024 for U.S. boys in 2024.