Mika
Fact sheet
- Name
- Mika
- Gender
- Unisex name
- Syllables
- 2
The first name Mika is a Finnish short form of Mikael and derives from the biblical Michael, which means 'Who is like God?'. In its feminine form, Mika is related to Mikaela or Michaela, but it also has a Japanese origin, where it means 'the wonderful fragrance', derived from the Japanese 'mi' for 'wonderful' and 'ka' for 'fragrance'.
What does the name Mika mean?
Mika is a Finnish short form of the boy's name Mikael and originates from the biblical name Michael, which means 'Who is like God?'. In its feminine form, Mika refers to Mikaela or Michaela, but it also has a Japanese meaning, which is 'the wonderful fragrance', composed of the Japanese 'mi' for 'wonderful' and 'ka' for 'fragrance'. In recent years, Mika has become one of the most sought-after boy's names in Germany. Its popularity first increased in this country due to the former Finnish Formula 1 driver Mika Häkkinen. Although Mika is considered a unisex name in Germany, it is predominantly used for boys. Besides Finland, the name is also common in Sweden, where it is also used as a girl's name. In Japan, Mika is exclusively a girl's name. Other Finnish variants of Mika or Michael include Miko and Mikko.
Where does the name Mika come from?
The name Mika has its roots in both Ancient Hebrew and Japanese and means 'Who is like God?' or 'the wonderful fragrance'.
How do you pronounce Mika?
The pronunciation of Mika is two syllables and open-structured. In German, the name is usually pronounced as 'Mi-ka' [ˈmiːka]. Here, the first syllable has a long 'i', which gives the name a sonorous brightness. The open 'a' at the end provides a friendly conclusion. Mika feels modern and uncomplicated – lively, clear, and present.
When is the name day of Mika?
Since Mika is a variant of Michael, its most important name day is celebrated on September 29 to commemorate the archangel Michael (Michaelistag).
Popularity
In Germany, Mika was initially not very common as a male first name for many decades. After some early mentions, it remained low on the rankings for a long time and played a subordinate role compared to other names in the 20th century. A noticeable change only began in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Nicknames & pet names
Kar / Meika / Michen / Mick / Mickel / Mickey / Micki / Mickmeck / Micky / Micky Mouse / Migga / Miggl / Mii / Miiks / Mik / Mikado / Mikalino / Mikas / Mikasa / Mikchen / Mike / Mikea / Mikes / Mikesch / Miki / Mikita / Mikki / Mikko / Mikmak / MikMuk / Miko / Mikosch / Miks / Miksch / Mikusch / Milka / Milly / Mimi / Mischa / Mita / Mitko / Mitschi / Mkik
Similar first names
Famous people
- Mika (singer (Big Girls)
- Mika Ääritalo (Finnish football player)
- Mika Anjo (Japanese badminton player)
- Mika Antic (Serbian writer)
- Mika Arisaka (musician from Japan)
- Mika Boorem (US actress)
- Mika Brzezinski (news anchor)
- Mika Chunuonsee (British footballer)
- Mika the polar bear (father of Lars)
- Mika Doi (voice actress from Japan)
- Mika Erkkilä (Finnish ice hockey player)
- Mika Häkkinen (former Formula 1 driver and world champion)
- Mika Hannula (ice hockey player from Sweden)
- Mika Haruna (Japanese swimmer)
- Mika Hijii (British actress)
- Mika Ikeda (badminton player from Japan)
- Mika Juhani Salo (Finnish motorcycle racer)
- Mika K. (singer from Serbia)
- Mika Kallio (Finnish motorcycle racer)
- Mika Kamita (Nepalese singer)
Frequently asked questions about the name Mika
What does the name Mika mean?
The name Mika has both Ancient Hebrew and Japanese roots. It means 'Who is like God?' and 'the wonderful fragrance'.
Is Mika a boy's or girl's name?
Mika is predominantly used as a boy's name, but it also has a feminine form in Finland and Sweden. In Japan, Mika is exclusively a girl's name.
What nicknames are there for Mika?
There are a variety of nicknames for Mika, such as Mick, Micky, Mik, Michen, or Milka. These can vary depending on the preferences and creativity of the parents.
How is the name Mika pronounced?
The name Mika is typically pronounced as 'Mii-ka', with the emphasis on the first syllable. There may be slight variations in pronunciation in different languages.