Michael, of Hebrew origin, means 'who is like God?' It gained popularity in the Middle Ages via medieval European crusaders who encountered it in the Bible. Michael, one of the seven archangels, serves as the protector of Israel and is considered a warrior angel. The name has been associated with numerous saints and historical figures, including Saint Michael the Archangel and several popes.
The name Michael appears to have had significant popularity from the mid-1960s to the late 1980s, with a peak of 73 births in both 1987 and 1988. After that period, its popularity declined steadily until it reached its current low point in recent years, with fewer than 15 births annually since 2006.