Given name & surname
Mike
“who is like God?”
In English use, Mike is a diminutive of Michael. One Hebrew interpretation is “who is like God?.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
In English use, Mike is a diminutive of Michael. One Hebrew interpretation is “who is like God?.”
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
In English use, Mike is a diminutive of Michael. An origin associated with Michael is Hebrew.
Explained through its name family
How it developed
Mike is a short form of Michael. In English usage, Mike is a diminutive of Michaela.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1880. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Mike through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 206,523
- 205,861 boys · 662 girls
- Most popular year
- 1960
- 12,069 babies
- 2025
- 163
- #1,234 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +4%
- Steady
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 163 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 1,234 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 4.2% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for boys was 12,045 in 1960. In 2025, Florida had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (34). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 228,046 as a first name in 2020; 3,393 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Mike’s family of names
In English usage, Mike is a diminutive of Michael. Mike has a conventional equivalent in the German form Maria. Mike is a short form of Michael.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Around the world
Mike has relatives in 15 languages.
28 related names in 15 languages. Point at a dot, or tab to the map and use the arrow keys.
Nicknames & forms 10
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
- Michaelfull form · English, Dutch
- Michaelafull form · English
- Mikaelfull form · Finnish
- Mikavariant · German, Finnish
- Mikkofull form · Finnish
- Mikeypet form
- Michelfull form · French
- Mykevariant · English
Show 2 moreShow fewer
Spellings & scripts 5
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 19
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
See also 3
Names our sources mention alongside this one. They are related in story or meaning, not forms of this name.
People named Mike
- Mike PenceVice President of the United States from 2017 to 2021born 1959
- Mike TysonAmerican boxer and media personality (born 1966)
- Mike MyersCanadian actor, comedian and filmmakerborn 1963
- Mike PompeoAmerican politician, United States Secretary of Stateborn 1963
- Mike ShinodaAmerican musician, rapper, singer and songwriterborn 1977
- Mike NicholsAmerican director and comedian (1931–2014)
- Mike DirntAmerican musicianborn 1972
- Mike HawthornBritish racing driver (1929–1959)
- Mike HavenaarJapanese association football playerborn 1987
Characters named Mike: Mike Ehrmantraut (the television drama series Breaking Bad), Mike Wheeler (Netflix series Stranger Things), Mike Delfino (fictional character on Desperate Housewives), Mike Hammer (fictional private detective created by Mickey Spillane).
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Mike, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Matt
“gift of God” · “a gift from God”
>99% boys
Martin
“dedicated to Mars, the god of war”
>99% boys
Phillip
“one who loves horses”
>99% boys
Tony
“a flourishing man; from an ancient Roman family”
>99% boys
Russell
“a little red-haired boy”
>99% boys
Ron
“song of Joy”
>99% boys
Greg
“watchful” · “one who is vigilant; watch-”
>99% boys
Robert
“one who is bright with fame”
>99% boys