The REAL (Biblical) Meaning of Michelle? - Origin, History & Stories

Michelle is a given name that has French and Hebrew origins. It is the feminine name that derived from the French name Michel. It is also the feminine form of the name Michael which is of Hebrew origins.

The Hebrew name Michael is associated with the archangel and chief prince who defends and protects God's people.

Michelle means gift from God or who is like God and has been a popular name choice for parents in French and English-speaking countries.

It has been a popular choice for baby girls in the United States since the 1930's. Keep reading to learn more about this classic name.

Today we'll take a deep dive into the real biblical, spiritual, and Hebrew meanings of the name.

We'll also explore biblical literature to find the origin of Michelle in the Bible and look at Bible stories and verses with this beautiful name.

 

What does Michelle mean in Hebrew?

There are two variations of the name Michelle in Hebrew, Michael and Michal.

Michal is a feminine name which means little stream or brook. Michael stems from the Hebrew word Mikha’el which asks the rhetorical question who is like God?

 

The origins of Michelle in the Bible

The origin of the name Michelle may be traced using Michael which is the original version of the name or by searching for the feminine Hebrew variation Michal.

 

In heaven

Though the first mention of the name Michael is found in the book of Numbers, this name was in existence before the fall of humanity, the Garden of Eden, and the fall of Satan.

 

“Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. ⁸… and they lost their place in heaven. ⁹ …He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.” (Revelation 12:7-9 NIV)

 

King Saul's daughter

The origins of Michelle may also be traced to the Old Testament character Michal, who was the daughter of Saul and wife of David.

 

“Saul’s sons were Jonathan, Ishvi and Malki-Shua. The name of his older daughter was Merab, and that of the younger was Michal.” (1 Samuel 14:49 NIV)

 

The biblical meaning of Michelle

Child of a king, a way of escape, and decisive are biblical Michelle name meanings. It is a powerful Christian girl name that will uplift and motivate your little girl.

 

Child of a king

As the daughter of King Saul, Michal did what she could to keep the peace between her father and husband.

Using Michelle as a first name or middle name for your child is a great way to instill in her the desire to live as a child of the heavenly King while claiming the blessing of being a peacemaker.

 

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9 NIV)

 

A way of escape

Michael the chief angel (Daniel 10:13) and Michal (1 Samuel 19:12) intervened and helped Daniel and David to escape.

The Christian name Michelle is a reminder that with faith in God and hard work no reality is too difficult to escape.

Financial difficulties, poor health, temptation, or even failure are not realities that will last forever because the Lord always provides a way of escape.

 

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV)

 

Decisive

Michal quickly came up with a plan to prevent Saul from capturing and killing David.

Michelle is quick thinking and is able to come up with extraordinary solutions to the problems she encounters in daily life.

 

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 NIV)

 

The spiritual meaning of Michelle

The spiritual meaning of the name Michelle has to do with being valuable, being a loving wife, showing support, and being wise.

 

Valuable

David went to war and killed two-hundred Philistines then presented Saul with the evidence in order to marry Michal (1 Samuel 18:27).

He placed the life of himself and his men at risk to prove that he considered his bride-to-be as valuable.

Michelle is a spiritual name that represents being valuable and this is why it's an amazing female name.

She will understand her true worth and others will value her and the contributions she has to make.

 

“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. ¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.” (Proverbs 31:10-11 NIV)

 

A loving wife

The love Michal had for David had a significant impact on his life. Hadn't been for her love, Saul's men could have captured and killed David while he was asleep.

 

“Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David… ²⁸ When Saul realized that the Lord was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David,” (1 Samuel 18:20, 28 NIV)

 

If you want your child to become a Proverbs thirty-one wife and role model then Michelle is an excellent baby name choice.

 

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Corinthians 13:4, 7 NIV)

 

Supportive

Michael was described as supportive in the book of Daniel and Michal proved herself to be a supportive wife as she protected David from King Saul.

 

“but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one supports me against them except Michael, your prince.” (Daniel 10:2 NIV)

 

Naming your child Michelle is a beautiful way to tap into the name definition as you encourage her to do good and be supportive of others.

 

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16 NIV)

 

Wise

In the book of Jude, the archangel Michael spoke wisely and depended on God as his source of authority.

 

“She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.” (Proverbs 31:26 NIV)

 

According to Proverbs 8:11, Michelle values wisdom and understands that God is its true source.

 

"For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her."

 

What Bible verses contain Michelle?

The masculine form of the name Michelle, the Hebrew variation Michal, and the meaning of the name (who is like God) are referenced in Old and New Testament Bible verses.

Here is a collection of verses about Michelle.

 

“David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage.” (1 Samuel 18:27 NIV)

 

“So, Michal let David down through a window, and he fled and escaped.” (1 Samuel 19:12 NIV)

 

“Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things. Who is like you, God?” (Psalm 71:19 NIV)

 

“But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.” (Daniel 10:13 NIV)

 

“At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.” (Daniel 12:1 NIV)

 

“But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” (Jude 1:9 NIV)

 

Stories about Michelle in the Bible

There are a number of stories in the Bible about Michelle.

The story of David escaping through a window (1 Samuel 19:12), the reference of the chief prince rescuing Daniel (Daniel 10:13),

the account of war in heaven between Michael and Satan (Revelation 12:7-9), and David taking the foreskins to Saul (1 Samuel 18:27) are biblical accounts of Michelle.

Final thought

Michelle is a feminine name of Hebrew and French origin. It stems from the masculine name Michael which means who is like God and is a great name to give your baby girl.

The biblical meaning of Michelle has to do with being a child of the king, a way of escape, and being decisive. Spiritually, the name means being a loving wife, valuable, supportive, and wise.