National Michael Day - It’s National Michael Day! Michael was one of the most prominent English names of the 20th century. In the United States alone there are 4.4 million people named Michael.

National Michael Day 2024 – August 3, 2024

National Michael Day is celebrated on August 3. There are 4.4 million people with Michael as their first name in the United States alone. There are enough Michaels in the world for them to form their own little country. That’s as popular as names get! Michael is derived from the Hebrew name Mikha’el, meaning “Who is like God?” — a rhetorical question to say there is no person like God. Michael was one of God’s archangels in Hebrew tradition and literature. There are several other variants for the name in different parts of the world, such as Miguel in Spanish, Mikhail in Russian, and Mikkel in Danish. Common nicknames include Mike, Mikey, and Mick.

History of National Michael Day

Michael owes its prominence, as with many names, to the Bible, it being a historically significant Hebrew name. Michael is first mentioned in the old testament, notably in the Book of Daniel, which dates from 167 B.C. to 163 B.C. The name Michael, as you can see, has been around for a long time. Not only is the name ancient, but it has also been consistently popular, being the given name of many saints, kings, and emperors over the years, like Emperor Michael II of the Byzantine Empire.By the 20th century, Michael was the most popular name in the United States, ranking at number one from 1954 to 1998. It also ranked rather well in several other countries.The world has had many famous Michaels over the years, like Michael Faraday, the renowned father of electricity; Michael Jackson, the King of Pop himself, and arguably the greatest entertainer of the latter half of the 20th century, earning a staggering 39 Guinness World Records during his lifetime; Michael Jordan and Mike Tyson, two of the most renowned sportsmen of their time; and, even quite recently, Michael B. Jordan, who won our hearts as the main antagonist in the 2018 film “Black Panther.”National Michael Day isn’t just about prominent scientists or A-list celebrities, however. We celebrate every Michael this day — that’s right, every Mike, Mikey, Miko, Michi, and Mick!

National Michael Day timeline

820—829
Michael II The Byzantine Emperor

The Byzantine Emperor Michael II of the Amorian dynasty rules over Asia Minor from Constantinople.

19th Century
The Father of Electricity Emerges

Michael Faraday makes groundbreaking scientific discoveries and earns the moniker of ‘The Father of Electricity.’

20th Century
Michael is a Common Name

Michael is one of the most common names worldwide, ranking number one in the U.S.

Mid-1980s
Long Live the King of Pop

Michael Jackson becomes the most popular entertainer in the world.

National Michael Day FAQs

When is National Michael Day?

National Michael Day is celebrated on August 3.

Is Michael a girl’s name?

The name Michael is both a boy’s name and a girl’s name.

Is Mikey short for Michael?

Yes, the name Mikey is a variant of Micah and also Michael.

National Michael Day Activities

  1. Host a party for Michael

    Hosting a party for a loved one named Michael is a great way to celebrate the occasion. It doesn't have to be a big party — it could even be just you, Michael, and maybe some cake.

  2. Celebrate online

    Posting about the holiday on your various social media accounts is a great way to celebrate the day. Remember to use the hashtag #NationalMichaelDay.

  3. Give your favorite Michael a shoutout on social media

    Tag a Michael you know on your holiday post to let him know he is being celebrated. Consider leaving him a shoutout and some kind words.

5 Interesting Facts About The Name Michael

  1. Michael is also a girl's name

    There are several women named Michael like famous American actress Michael Learner.

  2. Michael Jackson loved Chimpanzees

    Michael Jackson's favorite pet was a chimpanzee named Bubbles.

  3. Most Popular in the 20th century

    Michael was the most popular name of the 20th century, ranking number one from 1954 to 1998.

  4. Basketball legend

    Michael Jordan is known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

  5. The B in Michael B. Jordan

    Michael B. Jordan's middle name is Bakari.

Why We Love National Michael Day

  1. We socialize with others

    We connect with people with similar interests or through mutual friends online. We get to form new bonds and have interesting conversations.

  2. We appreciate our Michaels

    We get to show the Michaels in our lives that we value and appreciate them. Michaels themselves get to know how much people care for them.

  3. We learn about the legacies of Michaels

    It’s an occasion to learn about influential people called Michael throughout history and how they impacted society. We love this!

National Michael Day dates

Year Date Day
2023 August 3 Thursday
2024 August 3 Saturday
2025 August 3 Sunday
2026 August 3 Monday
2027 August 3 Tuesday