Which artist’s name is used for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Michelangelo?

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Michelangelo is named after Michelangelo Buonarroti.

Michelangelo Buonarroti was an Italian Renaissance artist known for sculpture, painting, architecture, and poetry. The turtle’s name is usually shortened to Michelangelo, or Mikey, in the franchise.

The four turtles were named after Renaissance artists because creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird wanted names that felt unusual and memorable. The naming joke became a permanent part of the characters’ identities, even though the turtles themselves are not portrayed as historical artists.

The name is sometimes confused with Leonardo da Vinci, whose name belongs to Leonardo, another turtle. Donatello and Raphael are likewise named after Renaissance figures. Adaptations vary in personality and weapon details, but the artist-name pattern remains a foundational franchise feature.