AIM The American Institute for Michaels

Diversify Uniformity

Connecting the World Through Michaels

The American Institute for Michaels is a community dedicated to individuals who share the given name Michael — leveraging the diversity of our backgrounds as a breeding ground for creativity, and our shared name as a unifying factor.

I Mission

Michaels are not a monolith. We come from every continent, every faith, every political tradition, and every walk of professional life. The Institute exists to connect Michaels across that breadth — to foster honesty, excellence, and compassion within our communities, and to advance society through the unique commonality of our shared given name.

Our work is organized around small, durable initiatives: outreach to Michaels entering early adulthood, a research program advancing the social infrastructure of Michael-hood, and a global chapter network spanning more than eighty countries.

A crowd of people gathered together
A global chapter network spanning more than eighty countries.

II About

An institute, founded in a freshman dorm room.

Like many great organizations, AIM began as a conversation between two creative polymaths. Today it has grown into the first body solely dedicated to those who share its forename.

Read about the Institute →

III Friends

Not already a Michael? Become one.

With the right paperwork — varies by state — anyone can join. We've curated the official name-change instructions for every U.S. state.

Find your state →