Mike

♂ Boy

Pronounced MYK /maɪk/High

Meaning: Who is like God? — English short form of Michael, from Hebrew mi-ka-el (who is like God?)High

In 30 seconds: The English short form of Michael meaning 'who is like God?' — one of the most common given names in American history, carried by Mike Tyson, Mike Jordan, Mike Bloomberg, and Mike Pence, among countless others.

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Origin HighHebrew, English

MeaningWho is like God? — English short form of Michael, from Hebrew mi-ka-el (who is like God?)

U.S. rank (2024)#1011 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births221 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1960

Total births (all-time)≈ 205,707

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Mike is the English short form of Michael, from Hebrew mi-ka-el (who is like God?). The archangel Michael is central to Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. Mike became a popular standalone given name in the 20th century.

Mike was a top-5 boys' name as a standalone in the mid-20th century. It ranked #1011 for boys in 2024, having declined from its peak.

Did you know? Michael has been the most popular boys' name in the United States for most of the period from 1954 to 1998 — and Mike/Michael together likely represent the single most common male name in living American memory, with millions of bearers.

Overall data confidence 96%

Behind the Name — Mike — Hebrew etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

MichaelMikeyMick

Nicknames

Mikey

Famous Bearers

★Michael Jordan (1963–present)
American basketball player, commonly known as Mike or MJ. Six-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls.

If you like Mike…

Michael— the full form from which Mike derives

Nick— one-syllable English nickname-name with the same casual American confidence

Rick— one-syllable English nickname-name from the same mid-century tradition

Jack— one-syllable classic English name in the same everyman tradition

Jake— one-syllable English name with the same casual, friendly American feel

Frequently Asked

What does the name Mike mean?

Mike means 'who is like God?' — an English short form of Michael, from Hebrew mi-ka-el.

How do you pronounce Mike?

It's said MYK — one syllable, rhyming with 'bike.'

Is Mike a boy or girl name?

Mike is used as a boys' name.

How popular is Mike?

Mike ranked #1011 for U.S. boys in 2024.