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Home › Baby Names Directory › Michele

Michele

♀ Girl

Pronounced mih-SHEL /mɪˈʃɛl/High

Meaning: Single-l spelling of Michelle — French feminine of Michael, Hebrew 'who is like God?'High

In 30 seconds: Michelle, single-l and chic: Michele is the elegant French feminine of Michael — 'who is like God?'. Timeless, soft, and refined.
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Origin HighHebrew, French
MeaningSingle-l spelling of Michelle — French feminine of Michael, Hebrew 'who is like God?'
U.S. rank (2025)#4837 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births28 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1968
Total births (all-time)≈ 223,296

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 196819152025

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

Michele is a single-l spelling of Michelle — the French feminine of Michael, from Hebrew Mikha'el, 'who is like God?'. A graceful mid-century favorite, it carries the archangel's name in feminine form.

It registers thinly beside Michelle. Rare, who-is-like-God at the root, and refined.

Did you know? Michael means 'who is like God?' — a rhetorical question affirming none is — and Michele is the streamlined French feminine, immortalized by the Beatles' song.
Overall data confidence 85%
Behind the Name — Michelle — root etymology

Variations

MichelleMichelaMichèle

Nicknames

MichShelly

Famous Bearers

  • ★Michele Lee (1942-)
    American actress and singer best known for her long-running role on the soap opera Knots Landing
  • ★Michele Alboreto (1956-2001)
    Italian Formula One racing driver who finished runner-up in the 1985 World Championship
  • ★Michele Bachmann (1956-)
    American politician who served as a U.S. Representative from Minnesota and ran for president in 2012
  • ★Michele Placido (1946-)
    Italian actor and director acclaimed for his role in the TV series La Piovra

If you like Michele…

Michelle— the double-l spelling
Danielle— a companion -elle classic
Gabrielle— another archangel feminine
Marielle— lands in the same popularity range
Lucille— the same vintage feel

Explore names like Michele

By themehebrewfrenchvintage
By meaningGod / Divine

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Michele mean?

Michele spells Michelle, the French feminine of Michael — Hebrew 'who is like God?'.

How do you pronounce Michele?

It's said mih-SHEL /mɪˈʃɛl/ — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Michele a boy or girl name?

As a girl's name, Michele is a spelling of Michelle (also an Italian male name).

How popular is Michele?

Michele is a rare spelling in the U.S. today.

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