Michelle is a female given name that originated from the French word "MICHEL", which means "who is like God?". The name has been widely used since the Middle Ages and has been popular among many cultures throughout history.
The name Michelle gained significant popularity in the mid-20th century, particularly in North America. It was often given to baby girls during this time as it was seen as a more feminine variation of the name Michael, which had been traditionally given to boys.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Michelle. One of the most famous is Michelle Obama, who served as First Lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017 alongside her husband Barack Obama. Other notable figures include Michelle Pfeiffer, a renowned American actress, and Michelle Kwan, a former competitive figure skater.
The name Michelle has also been used in popular culture, such as in the character Michelle Flannery from the TV show "Breaking Bad" and Michelle Bauer from the soap opera "Days of Our Lives".
In terms of its meaning, Michelle is often associated with strength and positivity. As it means "who is like God?", those named Michelle may be seen as individuals who embody divine qualities such as kindness, compassion, and wisdom.
Overall, Michelle is a name that has stood the test of time, with a rich history and a strong association with notable individuals. Its meaning adds depth to its appeal, making it a popular choice for parents looking for a strong and meaningful name for their daughters.
The given statistics illustrate the trends of babies named Michelle born in the United States each year from 1915 to 2023. The name Michelle gained significant popularity over time, with a notable increase starting in the mid-20th century.
In the early years, from 1915 to 1932, there were fewer than 30 births named Michelle per year, except for a peak of 28 births in 1933. The name began to gain traction in the late 1930s and early 1940s, with more than 100 births each year between 1938 and 1945.
The popularity of the name Michelle surged in the mid-1950s. In 1952, there were 2,881 births named Michelle, marking a significant increase from previous years. This trend continued throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s, with over 14,000 babies named Michelle born each year between 1961 and 1965.
The name Michelle reached its peak popularity in the United States during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Between 1966 and 1972, there were over 30,000 births named Michelle each year, with a high of 34,317 births in 1969.
However, the popularity of the name Michelle began to decline in the late 1970s and continued throughout the 1980s and 1990s. From 1980 to 2000, there were fewer than 20,000 births named Michelle each year, with a low of 5,694 births in 1997.
In the 21st century, the name Michelle has continued to decline in popularity. Between 2001 and 2023, there were fewer than 2,000 births named Michelle each year, with a total of 815,059 births over this period.
Overall, these statistics demonstrate that while Michelle was once one of the most popular girl names in the United States, its popularity has significantly decreased over time. Despite this decline, Michelle remains a classic and timeless name with a rich history.