mike

Mike is a masculine given name, commonly a shortened form of Michael. It has been widely used in English-speaking countries since the 19th century. The given name Michael itself comes from the Hebrew Mikha'el, meaning “Who is like God?” The form Mike developed into a stand-alone given name over time and is now widely accepted as both a nickname and an independent name.

Variants and related forms include Mikey, Mickey, and Mick, with broader cognates such as Michael, Michel (French), Miguel (Spanish/Portuguese), and Mikhail (Russian/Slavic).

Notable people named Mike span many fields, including sports, politics, entertainment, and science. Examples include Mike Tyson, American former heavyweight boxer; Mike Pence, American politician who served as the 48th Vice President of the United States; Mike Krzyzewski, American basketball coach; Mike Rowe, American television host; Mike Shinoda, American musician and artist; and Mike Pompeo, American politician and former Secretary of State.

In everyday use, Mike remains the common informal form of Michael and is frequently used in media, fiction, and by individuals in professional settings. The name carries no single cultural or occupational association beyond its status as a widely recognized given name. For broader variations and origins, see the given name Michael.