Michele is an Italian male given name (pronounce "mee-KAY-lay") and a female given name (pronounced "mish-ELL") equivalent to the English Michael; it is an example of a homograph. It derives from the Latin Michaelem, and originally from the Hebrew Mi-Kha'El, composed of words mi (who), kha (how) and El, short form of Elohìm, God. The literal meaning is, therefore, "Who is like God?".