Michael Zak

(male) English form of a common biblical name (meaning ‘who is like God?’ in Hebrew) borne by one of the archangels, the protector of the ancient Hebrews, who is also regarded as a saint of the Catholic Church. In the Middle Ages, Michael was regarded as captain of the heavenly host (see Revelation 12:7–9), symbol of the Church Militant, and patron of soldiers. He was often depicted bearing a flaming sword. The name is also borne by a Persian prince and ally of Belshazzar mentioned in the Book of Daniel. Since the early 1900s it has been one of the most enduringly popular boys' names in the English-speaking world. See also Michal.

Polish (Żak), Czech (Žák), and Slovak (Žiak): nickname for a youthful or studious person, from Polish żak ‘student’, ‘schoolboy’. The original meaning of this word was ‘novice’, ‘candidate for the priesthood’, and so in some cases it is perhaps a nickname for someone who had been destined for holy orders.