Mikhael is an alternate transcription of the Hebrew מִיכָאֵל or Ancient Greek Μιχαήλ (see Michael). While Michael is one of the most common names globally, Mikhael is a less frequent transliteration that appears in various cultural contexts. In the English-speaking world, it is chiefly encountered as a surname, particularly among individuals of Arab Christian background. According to the 2010 United States Census, Mikhael was the 39,773rd most common surname, with 552 bearers, predominantly of White ethnicity (93.3%). Etymology Like Michael, Mikhael ultimately derives from the Hebrew phrase מִי כָּאֵל (mi ka'el), meaning "who is like God?" — a rhetorical question implying that no one is comparable to the Almighty. The root elements are mi ("who"), ke ("like"), and ʾel ("God"). In the Bible, Michael is the sole archangel named, appearing as the protector of Israel in the Book of Daniel (12:1) and leading the heavenly army against Satan in the Book of Revelation. Cultural and Linguistic Context Mikhael is a direct transliteration that sidesteps the common English spelling 'Michael' and is often favored by families of Arab Christian heritage (notably in Egypt and Lebanon). In this respect, it parallels other liturgical forms such as Mikha'il (Quranic), Mikayel (Armenian), and Mikayıl (Azerbaijani). Due to phonetic variations across languages, many related forms exist across Europe and the Middle East, including Mikel and Mitxel in Basque, Mikhail in Russian, and others. Custom and Significance Because the underlying name Michael is deeply embedded in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions — the archangel Michael is venerated in all three Abrahamic religions — the spelling Mikhael retains that religious weight. Saint Michael the Archangel is especially honored in Christianity as the patron saint of soldiers and police officers his feast day is September 29. Meaning: "Who is like God?" (rhetorical question) Origin: Hebrew and Greek forms of Michael Type: First name (as a transliteration) and surname (in English use) Usage Regions: Egypt, Lebanon, and other Arab Christian communities; also found in the United States as a surname