Etymology

From Old East Slavic, borrowed through Old Church Slavonic, from Ancient Greek Μιχαήλ ‎(Mikhaḗl). From Hebrew מיכאל ‎(Mīkhāḗl, “who is like God”), a compound of מִי ‎(mi, “who”) + כְּ- ‎(k'-, “like, as”) + אֵל ‎(el, “God”).

Attested as Михайло ‎(Myxajlo) in 1368, Михаилъ ‎(Myxaylъ), 1407, Михалъ ‎(Myxalъ), 1391, Міхаилъ ‎(Mixaylъ), 1627.

Compare Russian Михаил ‎(Mixaíl), Bulgarian Михаил ‎(Mixaíl), Belarusian Міхаіл ‎(Mixaíl), Old East Slavic Михаилъ ‎(Mixailъ), Polish Michał, Upper Sorbian Michał, Michałk, Czech Michael, Michal, Slovak Michal, Lower Sorbian Michal, Old Croatian Михаило ‎(Mixailo), Slovene Mihael, Old Church Slavonic Михаилъ ‎(Mixailŭ).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /mɪˈxɑɪ̯lo/