NomOrigine Background

Last Name Mihai

What is the origin of the last name Mihai?

The surname "Mihai" is of Romanian origin. It is a common first name in Romania, derived from the name Michael, which means "Who is like God?" in Hebrew. The surname likely originated from an individual with the given name Mihai or a descendant of someone with that name.

Please wait, data loading. It may take 1 minute or 2...

Learn more about the origin of the last name Mihai

The meaning and origin of the last name Mihai

The surname Mihai is of Romanian origin and is derived from the given name "Mihai," which is the Romanian form of the name Michael. The name Michael is of Hebrew origin and means "Who is like God?" It is a popular surname in Romania and is often found among individuals of Romanian descent. The surname Mihai may have been adopted as a way to honor a male ancestor with the name Mihai or to show reverence to the archangel Michael in Christian tradition.

Geographical distribution of the last name Mihai

The last name Mihai is most commonly found in Romania, where it is a common surname. It is especially prevalent in regions such as Moldavia, Wallachia, and Transylvania. Due to Romania's historical ties to other Eastern European countries, the surname Mihai can also be found in countries such as Ukraine, Bulgaria, and Serbia. In addition, with the diaspora of Romanians to Western countries in recent decades, the surname Mihai can also be found in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Germany. Overall, the geographical distribution of the last name Mihai is primarily concentrated in Romania, with smaller populations in neighboring countries and countries with Romanian diaspora communities.

Variants and spellings of the last name Mihai

The last name "Mihai" can be spelled in several variations, including Mihae, Mihaey, Mihaie, Mihaei, Mihaa, Mihaee, Meehai, and Meehaie. These variations may be a result of different transliterations or interpretations of the name in various languages or regions. The spelling of "Mihai" can also be found with different diacritical marks, such as Mihaí, Mihái, Mihăi, or Mihäi, depending on the specific language or alphabet used. Additionally, the surname may have alternative forms in different cultures or communities, such as Mihaev, Mihailov, Mihailovic, or Mihajlovic. Overall, the last name "Mihai" can have multiple spellings and variations based on linguistic, regional, or historical factors.

Famous people with the last name Mihai

Some of the most famous people with the last name Mihai are Valerie Mihai, a Romanian politician and former Member of the European Parliament, and Adrian Mihai, a Romanian footballer who plays as a midfielder for several clubs in the country. Another well-known individual with the last name Mihai is Ioan Mihai Cochinescu, a Romanian poet and translator. These individuals have made significant contributions in their respective fields and have gained recognition for their achievements.

Genealogical research on the last name Mihai

The surname Mihai is of Romanian origin and is derived from the given name Mihai, which is the Romanian form of the name Michael. It is a common patronymic surname, indicating descent from a father or ancestor named Mihai. Genealogical research on the last name Mihai typically focuses on tracing paternal lineage through historical records such as birth, marriage, and death certificates, as well as census data and church records. By studying these documents, researchers can uncover information about the ancestors, family relationships, and migration patterns of individuals with the surname Mihai. Additionally, DNA testing can also be used to supplement traditional genealogical research and help individuals connect with relatives who share the Mihai surname and genetic heritage.

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 11 April 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Mih tes (Last name)

surnames > mih-tes

The last name "Mih Tes" is of Chinese origin. It is a combination of the Chinese words "Mih" meaning "beautiful" and "Tes" which is a variation of the Chinese word "Tse" or "Cai" w...

Miha kahan (Last name)

surnames > miha-kahan

The last name "Miha Kahan" originates from the Hebrew language. "Miha" is a variation of the Hebrew name "Mikha" meaning "Who is like God?". "Kahan" is a common Jewish surname deri...

Miha mohammad (Last name)

surnames > miha-mohammad

Miha Mohammad is a name of Arabic origin. "Miha" is a common Arabic given name meaning "gift from God" or "divinely inspired," while "Mohammad" is a common Arabic surname derived f...

Mihai alexandru (Last name)

surnames > mihai-alexandru

The last name "Mihai Alexandru" is of Romanian origin. "Mihai" is a common Romanian given name, derived from the Hebrew name "Michael." "Alexandru" is also a common Romanian given ...

Mihăilă (Last name)

surnames > mih-il

The last name "Mihil" is of Hungarian origin. It is derived from the given name "Mihály," which is the Hungarian form of the name "Michael."

Mihalcea (Last name)

surnames > mihalcea

The last name Mihalcea is of Romanian origin. It is derived from the Romanian given name Mihai, which is the equivalent of the name Michael in English. The suffix "-cea" is a commo...

Mihalev (Last name)

surnames > mihalev

The last name Mihalev is of Eastern European origin, particularly common in countries such as Russia, Bulgaria, and Ukraine. It is derived from the given name "Mihail," which is th...

Mihan (Last name)

surnames > mihan

The surname Mihan is of Irish origin. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name Ó Miadhacháin, meaning "descendant of Miadhachán", a personal name derived from the Irish word ...

Mihar (Last name)

surnames > mihar

The last name "Mihar" is of Croatian origin. It is derived from the personal name "Mihal", which is a phonetic variant of the name "Michael".

Miharaj (Last name)

surnames > miharaj

The last name Miharaj is of Albanian origin. It is derived from the personal name Mihail, which is the Albanian form of the name Michael.

Mihaz (Last name)

surnames > mihaz

The last name Mihaz is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the Arabic personal name 'Mihaj', which means "a leader" or "someone who guides."

Mihfa (Last name)

surnames > mihfa

The last name "Mihfa" does not have a known origin or meaning in English. It is possible that it is a rare or unique surname with limited information available.

Mihih (Last name)

surnames > mihih

The last name "Mihih" does not appear to have a widely recognized origin or meaning. It is possible that it is a rare or unique surname with a specific regional or cultural signifi...

Mihika (Last name)

surnames > mihika

The last name "Mihika" is of Indian origin.

Mihindou (Last name)

surnames > mihindou

The last name Mihindou is of African origin, specifically from the Fang ethnic group in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.