indicate the level to which a name has been verified.
Gender Masculine & Feminine
Usage French, Dutch (Rare), Flemish (Rare)
Meaning & History
French diminutive of Michel, as -ou is a French masculine diminutive suffix. This diminutive has been in use since medieval times, as is evidenced by the fact that Michou is also a patronymic surname in France.Historically, the name was strictly masculine in France, but since at least the 20th century, it has also been used on women occasionally (as a diminutive of Michelle and Micheline). Its use as a feminine name is most often seen outside of the francophone world, such as in Flanders (Belgium) and the Netherlands.Known bearers of this name include the French cabaret artist Michou (b. 1931; born as Michel Catty), the Réunion singer Michou (b. 1960; born as Marie-Christiane Ducap) and the Belgian World War II resistance fighter Micheline "Michou" Dumon (1921-2017).