Michaela is a female given name of Hebrew origin, meaning "Who is like God?". It is derived from the male name Michael, which was used in the Bible to denote one of the archangels.
The name Michaela gained popularity in the late 20th century and has since become a widely recognized feminine form of the name Michael. Despite its Hebrew origins, it has been adopted by various cultures around the world and is now commonly used in countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Hungary, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States.
In literature and popular culture, Michaela has been featured as a character name in numerous works. Some notable examples include Michaela "Mike" Ross from the television series Suits, Michaela "Micki" King from the film The Parent Trap, and Michaela Deavor from the animated film The Incredibles 2.
Overall, Michaela is a strong and distinctive name with a rich history and widespread appeal. Its meaning emphasizes uniqueness and divinity, making it an attractive choice for parents looking for a meaningful and memorable name for their daughter.
The name Michaela experienced a significant increase in popularity from the late 1980s onwards. Before 1985, there were fewer than 600 births per year with the name Michaela. However, starting from 1985, there was a marked rise, peaking at 3398 births in 1997. This high popularity persisted until around 2005, after which the number of annual births with the name Michaela began to decline, reaching 457 births in 2023. Over the entire period from 1921 to 2023, a total of 52,911 babies were named Michaela at birth.