Michael in Chinese
Michael in Chinese is 迈克尔 (Mài Kè Ěr).
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Meaning
- who is like God
The name traces back to Hebrew sources, where it is usually explained as "who is like God". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 1950s. Names sharing the same root meaning include Michelle, Miguel, Makayla, Mitchell.
3 ways to write Michael
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
迈克尔
Mài Kè Ěr
The standard transliteration of Michael: 迈 (mài, "to stride forward"), 克 (kè, "to overcome; gram"), 尔 (ěr, "you (classical); phonetic 'r/l'"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
To fit Mandarin syllable rules, the sounds are broken into 3 characters: 迈 mài + 克 kè + 尔 ěr. The tone contour is 4-4-3 (falling, falling, dipping).
Character breakdown
19 strokes total (simplified)- 迈
mài
Tone 4 · 7 strokes (simplified)
to stride forward
- 克
kè
Tone 4 · 7 strokes (simplified)
to overcome; gram
- 尔
ěr
Tone 3 · 5 strokes (simplified)
you (classical); phonetic 'r/l'
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
天佑
Tiān Yòu
Inspired by "who is like God": 天 (tiān, "heaven, sky") + 佑 (yòu, "blessing, protection"), expressing blessing and divine protection.
Why these characters?
The idea of "God" behind Michael is rendered by 天, "heaven, sky"; 佑, "blessing, protection", completes it.
Character breakdown
11 strokes total (simplified)- 天
tiān
Tone 1 · 4 strokes (simplified)
heaven, sky
- 佑
yòu
Tone 4 · 7 strokes (simplified)
blessing, protection
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Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
迈瑞
Mài Ruì
迈 (mài, "to stride forward") + 瑞 (ruì, "auspicious, lucky"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 迈 (mài), the same opening character as the transliteration 迈克尔, for the "mi" sound, and replaces the rest with 瑞 ("auspicious, lucky") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
20 strokes total (simplified)- 迈
mài
Tone 4 · 7 strokes (simplified)
to stride forward
- 瑞
ruì
Tone 4 · 13 strokes (simplified)
auspicious, lucky
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Stroke order
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Recent US usage of Michael
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Michael ranked 16 among names recorded for boys, with 52,631 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 4,350,824 boys named Michael since 1880, with the high point in 1957 (92,695 births) and the busiest decade being the 1950s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #1 to #12 among boys.
- Peak year
- 1957
- Peak decade
- 1950s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 4,350,824
More About Michael in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Michael offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Michael, you'll find options that work for you.
Names with the same root meaning include Michelle in Chinese, Miguel in Chinese, Makayla in Chinese, Mitchell in Chinese, Micah in Chinese, and Mikayla in Chinese, which share similar origins or meanings.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Michelle in Chinese, Miguel in Chinese, and Makayla in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Mitchell in Chinese, Micah in Chinese, Mikayla in Chinese, Christopher in Chinese, and Matthew in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Michael, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Michael to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How is Michael translated into Chinese?
迈克尔 (Mài Kè Ěr), or 邁克爾 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How many strokes does 迈克尔 have?
19 strokes in simplified form and 36 in traditional; per character: 迈 7, 克 7, 尔 5.
Is there a Chinese name for Michael with real meaning?
Try 天佑 (Tiān Yòu): heaven, sky + blessing, protection, inspired by "who is like God". For something that still sounds like Michael, 迈瑞 (Mài Ruì) is a middle ground.