Mikkel is of Scandinavian origin, derived from the Old Norse name Mikjáll, which itself comes from the Old Norse element 'mikill' meaning 'great'. It gained popularity in Denmark and Norway during the Middle Ages. The name Mikkel was borne by several significant figures in Danish history, including the 15th-century king Christian I's brother, Duke Mikkel of Holstein. Today, it is still widely used in Scandinavian countries and has begun to appear more frequently in other parts of Europe.
The name Mikkel experienced a significant rise in popularity from the late 1970s onwards, with a notable peak in the early 2000s. It appears that the name was quite uncommon in the mid-20th century but began to gain traction around the late 1970s and early 1980s. The highest number of births recorded for this name occurred in 2002, with 25 births. Since then, it has maintained a relatively consistent level of popularity, although it has shown some fluctuation in recent years.