Shem
The Israeli Names Portal

מיכל


Meaning of the name מיכל

Michal is an ancient and moving Hebrew name that carries a rich history and profound meaning. The name first appears in the Bible as the name of Michal, daughter of King Saul, who was the first wife of King David. The biblical story of Michal is one of the most fascinating and complex narratives in the Bible, depicting an independent, courageous woman with a strong will. When her father Saul sought to kill David out of jealousy, Michal dared to defy him and saved her husband by lowering him through a window and deceiving her father's messengers. This act of bravery transformed her into a symbol of loyalty, love, and courage. Linguistically, the name Michal derives from the Hebrew root M.Y.K.L or M.K.L, and its meaning in Biblical Hebrew is 'brook', 'stream', or 'flowing water'. This meaning gives the name a sense of flow, movement, and life. Water in Hebrew culture symbolizes life, blessing, and renewal, so the name Michal also carries connotations of fertility, abundance, and vitality. Some interpret the name as a shortened form of 'Michael' or as a combination of 'mi' (water) and 'kol' (all), meaning 'she who has everything' or 'abundance of waters'. In modern times, the name Michal returned to great popularity in the State of Israel, especially during the 1960s and 1970s. It is considered a classic, traditional name with a pleasant and familiar sound. Many women in Israel bear this name, and it is associated with strong, independent personalities. The name maintains a deep connection to Jewish and Israeli sources while expressing values of courage, loyalty, and female independence. Michal is an example of a name that successfully combines antiquity with contemporaneity, tradition with innovation, and gentleness with strength.

The name מיכל with vowels

מִיכַל

The name מיכל in English

Michal | Mikhal | Meechal

מיכל is mainly suitable for

Girl

Is the name מיכל considered international

No

Origin of the name מיכל from the Bible

1 Samuel 18:20 - And David loved Michal, daughter of Saul

Origin of the name מיכל from Kabbalah

In Kabbalah, the name Michal connects to the Sefirah of Chesed (Loving-kindness) and to forces of flow and giving. The name expresses the principle of living waters, symbolizing both spiritual and material abundance. Bearers of the name are considered to possess the ability to give, to flow with life, and to adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining inner strength. The connection to water indicates purity, renewal, and the ability to heal and revitalize one's surroundings.

Gematria value for the name מיכל

100

=

40

מ

+

10

י

+

20

כ

+

30

ל

Numerology value for the name מיכל

1

=

40

מ

+

10

י

+

20

כ

+

30

ל

=

100

=

1

+

0

+

0

=

1

Famous people named מיכל

Michal Yannai - Israeli actress | Michal Zoharetz - journalist and television host | Michal Amdursky - singer and composer | Michal Daliot - actress | Michal Sela - journalist and news anchor | Michal Ansky - actress and singer

Names similar to מיכל

Total times the name מיכל was registered

45037 times

Graph of the name מיכל

* Source: Central Bureau of Statistics. As of April 2022

מיכל — Name Meaning | שֵׁם