Miha is a Slovene masculine given name, functioning as a short form of Mihael, the Slovene and Croatian variant of Michael. The name ultimately derives from the Hebrew Miḵaʾel, meaning "who is like God?" — a rhetorical question implying that no one is comparable to God. Etymology and Historical Roots Michael is a theophoric name rooted in Hebrew tradition: the interrogative mi ("who") combines with ke ("like") and ʾel ("God"). In the Bible, Michael is an archangel — one of the few named angels in scripture—serving as a protector of Israel in the Book of Daniel (Daniel 12:1) and leading heaven's armies against Satan in the Book of Revelation. This martial role made Michael the patron saint of soldiers in Christianity. The name spread across Europe by the Middle Ages, with rulers such as the Byzantine emperors (including Michael VIII Palaeologus) and tsars of Russia (as Mikhail), further cementing its popularity. In Slovenia, the short form Miha became a well-established diminutive in its own right.” Notable Bearers Wikipedia lists numerous Slovene individuals named Miha, spanning various fields. These include Miha Baloh (1928–2022), a celebrated Slovene actor; Miha Blažič, a name shared by multiple individuals; and Miha Hrobat (born 1995), an alpine ski racer. In sports alone, Miha appears among footballers (Miha Golob, Miha Goropevšek, Miha Gregorič), volleyball players (Miha Bregar), biathletes (Miha Dovžan), and freestyle skiers (Miha Gale). Outside Slovenia, the name extends to Canadian freestyle skier Miha Fontaine (born 2004). The political domain features Miha Krek (1897–1969), a prominent Slovene politician. While the list itself is not exhaustive, it underscores Miha's continued usage in contemporary Slovenia, particularly in athletics and the arts. Cultural Context and Distribution As a short form of Mihael, Miha parallels other regional variants such as the Croatian Mijo or the Serbian Mića. The name has no direct feminine equivalent, though Mihaela serves as the female form of Mihael. While Miha is almost exclusively Slovene, its ultimate root—Michael—is among the most widely used names globally, from Western forms like English Michael and French Michel to Eastern adaptations. Within Slovenia, Miha commands enduring modest popularity, holding steady in the top-100 baby names for boys in recent decades (most ranking in the 30s-50s in popularity rankings). Its concise and distinctly Slovene character likely contribute to its appeal. Meaning: "Who is like God?" Origin: Slovene short form of Mihael, Hebrew Michael Type: Given name (masculine) Usage: Primarily Slovene Related Names: Mihael, Michael, Miha colloquially