Meshell as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Meshell

What is the meaning of the name Meshell ?

The baby name Meshell is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced /məˈʃɛl/ or /mɛˈʃɛl/ (muh-SHELL or meh-SHELL).

Meshell is French in Origin.

Meshell is a modern English respelling of Michelle, the French feminine form of Michel, ultimately from the Hebrew name Mikha’el (“Who is like God?”), a rhetorical question expressing the uniqueness of the divine. The spelling Meshell mirrors the common English pronunciation mi-SHELL and emphasizes the “shell” ending. It should not be confused with the biblical Hebrew masculine name Mishael, which has a related but distinct origin.

Used primarily in the United States from the late 20th century, Meshell tracks with the mid-century boom of Michelle and its creative offshoots. The profile of this spelling was boosted by musician Meshell Ndegeocello in the 1990s. Close variants include Michelle, Michèle (French), Michele (also Italian, masculine in Italy), Mechelle, Mishelle, and stylized Me’Shell; cognates include Michaela and Micaela. Common short forms are Chelle, Shell, Shelly/Shelley, and Elle. The core meaning remains the humble challenge: “Who is like God?”