What Does the Name Mikhail Mean?
Mikhail is a boy's name of Russian origin meaning “who is like God?.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Mikhail |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | Russian |
| Meaning | who is like God? |
| Variants | Michail, Mihail, Misha, Mykhailo |
| Popularity | One of the most common and traditional Russian male names. |
The meaning and origin of Mikhail
The name Mikhail means “who is like God?” and has Russian origins. The Russian form of Michael, from Hebrew Mikha'el, a rhetorical question meaning 'who is like God?' Famous bearers include Mikhail Gorbachev and writer Mikhail Bulgakov.
Variants and related names
Mikhail is related to several other names you may recognize: Michail, Mihail, Misha, Mykhailo. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Mikhail?
One of the most common and traditional Russian male names.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Mikhail mean?+
The name Mikhail means “who is like God?” and is of Russian origin.
What is the origin of the name Mikhail?+
Mikhail originates from Russian.
Is Mikhail a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Mikhail has trended in the US over time.
Mikhail by gender
More boy's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press