مايكل
māykelEnglish style
In Egyptian Arabic the name Michael is most often written مايكل (māykel) when it follows the English form. The traditional Christian form is ميخائيل (mīḵāʾīl). It is also called ميكائيل (mīkāʾīl).
Meaning: male given name (noun)
Ways to say it
| Egyptian | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| مايكل | māykel | English style |
| ميخائيل | mīḵāʾīl | traditional, Christian |
| ميكائيل | mīkāʾīl | Islamic |
Both forms are used as given names. ميخائيل is common among Copts and is often shortened to ميخا (mīḵa).
Which one should you use?
The Islamic form of the angel's name is ميكائيل (mīkāʾīl), used in the Quran. Egyptian Muslims rarely use it as a given name.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Names are not translated, so for people called Michael the best choice is the form the person uses for themselves.
Did you know?
- The Arabic forms ميخائيل and ميكائيل both come from the Hebrew name for the archangel Michael.
Examples in context
- ميخائيل صاحبي.mīḵāʾīl ṣāḥbi.Michael is my friend.
- مايكل جاي بكرة.māykel gayy bukra.Michael is coming tomorrow.
Example conversation
At a language class in Cairo, teacher Mrs. Laila meets a new student, Michael.
- Lailaاسمك إيه؟ismak ēh?What is your name?
- Michaelاسمي مايكل.ismi māykel.My name is Michael.
- Lailaيعني ميخائيل بالعربي.yaʿni mīḵāʾīl bil-ʿarabi.So Mikhail in Arabic.
- Michaelأيوه، حلو كده.aywa, ḥilw keda.Yes, that works.
