# Michael

> English word · Proper noun · IPA /ˈmaɪkəl/ · frequency rank #880

## Definitions
1. A male given name from Hebrew.
2. An archangel associated with defending the faithful in the tribulation.
3. A surname transferred from the given name.
4. A parish and sheading of the Isle of Man.

## Etymology
From Middle English Michael, from Old French Michel, Old English Michahel, and directly from their source Latin Michaēl, from Ancient Greek Μῐχᾱήλ (Mĭkhāḗl), from Biblical Hebrew מִיכָאֵל (mîḵāʾēl, literally “who is like God?”). Doublet of Miguel and Mikhail.

## Easily confused with
- **Michel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/michael-vs-michel)
- **Michal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/michael-vs-michal)
- **Michele** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/michael-vs-michele)
- **Mikhail** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/michael-vs-mikhail)
- **Micheal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/michael-vs-micheal)
- **Mitchel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/michael-vs-mitchel)
- **Michaels** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/michael-vs-michaels)
- **Michaela** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/michael-vs-michaela)

## Common misspellings (9)
`imchael`, `mcihael`, `micahel`, `micchael`, `michaell`, `michale`, `michhael`, `mihcael`, `mmichael`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/michael