Mica is a short form of Michaela, the feminine form of Michael.EtymologyThe name Michael derives from the Hebrew מִיכָאֵל (Miḵaʾel), meaning "who is like God?", a rhetorical question implying no person is like God. Michael is one of the archangels in Hebrew tradition and the only one identified as an archangel in the Bible. In the Book of Daniel (see Daniel 12:1) he is named as a protector of Israel, and in the Book of Revelation he leads heaven's armies against Satan, making him the patron saint of soldiers in Christianity.Notable BearersWhile Mica itself has limited famous bearers, its root name Michael has been borne by nine Byzantine emperors, including Michael VIII Palaeologus who restored the empire in the 13th century. It has been common in Western Europe since the Middle Ages and in England since the 12th century. Notable modern Michaels include chemist/physicist Michael Faraday (1791–1867), musician Michael Jackson (1958–2009), basketball player Michael Jordan (born 1963), Formula One driver Michael Schumacher (born 1969), and swimmer Michael Phelps (born 1985).Cultural SignificanceAlthough Mica is not a biblical name in its own right, it benefits from the deep-rooted popularity of Michael and Michaela. The mineral mica shares the same spelling but is etymologically unrelated. As a given name, Mica is used predominantly in English-speaking countries and is often chosen as a fresh alternative to longer forms.Variants of the name include Mickey (also a short form) and Michelle (the French form). Other languages offer forms such as Mihaela (Slovene), Michala (Czech), and Mikkeline (Danish).