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Mickey

♂ Boy

Pronounced MIK-ee /ˈmɪk.i/Medium

Meaning: a pet form of Michael, from Hebrew meaning 'who is like God?'Medium

In 30 seconds: Mickey is an affectionate pet form of Michael, the Hebrew name that asks 'who is like God?'. It feels casual and warm, the everyday version of a weightier original.

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Origin MediumEnglish, Hebrew

Meaninga pet form of Michael, from Hebrew meaning 'who is like God?'

U.S. rank (2025)#2048 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births73 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1957

Total births (all-time)≈ 27,626

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

The root name Michael comes from Hebrew and carries the rhetorical question 'who is like God?'. Mickey grew up as one of its many friendly short forms, alongside Mick, Micky, Mike, and Mikey. Its tone is informal and approachable, the kind of name that tends to stick from childhood into adulthood.

In American usage Mickey has long had a buoyant, easygoing sound. Ballplayer Mickey Mantle (1931 to 1995), a Yankees great and Hall of Famer, is one of the names most familiar carriers.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Mickey is 'origin uncertain', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.

Overall data confidence 78%

Behind the Name - Mickey — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

MicaMickMickyMikeMikey

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Mickey Mantle (1931–1995)
American Major League Baseball player who spent his career with the New York Yankees. He is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

If you like Mickey…

Mike— the most common short form of Michael, sharing Mickey's exact root

Mikey— another diminutive of Michael with the same playful ending as Mickey

Harley— the same unisex feel

Marley— a similarly popular pick

Radley— another English name

Explore names like Mickey

By themeenglish unisex nature

By meaningGod / Divine

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Mickey mean?

Mickey is usually explained as meaning 'origin uncertain' and is most often linked with English tradition.

How do you pronounce Mickey?

It's commonly said MIK-ee /ˈmɪk.i/.

Is Mickey a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Mickey is used as a boy name.

How popular is Mickey?

In 2024, Mickey ranked #1644 in the U.S. for boys, with 103 births recorded.