Michiel is a Dutch name of Germanic origin, derived from the Old German name "Michael", which means "who is like God?" It is a classic and respected name that has been used in the Netherlands for centuries. The variant Michiel is more commonly found in the Netherlands than its counterparts Michel or Michael. In the Middle Ages, Michiel was often associated with noble families, adding to its prestige. Today, it remains popular among Dutch-speaking parents as a traditional yet enduring choice for their sons.
The name Michiel was quite popular in the mid-20th century, with a significant peak in the late 1940s to early 1950s, during which there were consistently high numbers of births each year (between 31 and 39 Michiels per year from 1951 to 1957). However, its popularity seems to have declined significantly over time, with fewer than 10 Michiel births recorded in most years since the mid-1980s. Overall, there were a total of 1040 Michiel births between 1915 and 2006.