Angel

♂ Boy

Pronounced AYN-jul /ˈeɪndʒəl/High

Meaning: Messenger; angel — from Greek angelos (messenger) via Latin angelusHigh

In 30 seconds: A spiritual Greek/Latin name meaning 'messenger,' referring to divine angels. Predominantly a boys' name in the U.S. Hispanic community, Angel has been a top-50 boys' name for decades.

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Origin HighGreek, Latin

MeaningMessenger; angel — from Greek angelos (messenger) via Latin angelus

Peak year2006

Total births (all-time)≈ 226,719

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Angel comes from the Greek angelos, meaning messenger, which was used in the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament) to translate the Hebrew mal'akh (messenger, angel). Via Latin angelus it entered all European Christian languages. In the Bible, angels are divine messengers who carry God's word to humans. The name has been used devotionally in Catholic and Orthodox traditions for centuries.

In Spanish-speaking countries, Ángel has been a common male name for centuries, typically pronounced AHN-hel. In the U.S., the anglicized Angel has been popular in Latino communities since at least the 1970s and has ranked in the top 50 boys' names since the 1990s. It is particularly associated with Mexican-American and Puerto Rican naming traditions.

Did you know? Angel is overwhelmingly used as a boys' name in Spanish-speaking cultures, while in English it is more often given to girls — making it one of the starkest examples of cross-cultural gender divergence in naming.

Variations

ÁngelAngelo

Nicknames

Angie

Famous Bearers

★Angel Di María (1988–)
Argentine professional footballer who has played for Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and the Argentine national team.

If you like Angel…

Gabriel— fellow divine messenger name (Gabriel is an archangel) in the same Latin/Spanish Catholic tradition

Rafael— Spanish/Latin archangel name with the same devotional heritage

Miguel— Spanish form of Michael, equally dominant in Latino boys' naming

Jesus— the most sacred name in the same Spanish Catholic tradition, used similarly as a given name

Frequently Asked

What does the name Angel mean?

Angel is a Greek and Latin name meaning 'messenger,' referring to angels as God's divine messengers.

How do you pronounce Angel?

In English it's said AYN-jul /ˈeɪndʒəl/ — two syllables, stress on the first. In Spanish it is pronounced AHN-hel.

Is Angel a boy or girl name?

In the U.S. Angel is used predominantly as a boys' name, especially in Latino communities, though it is given to girls as well.

How popular is Angel?

Angel has ranked in the U.S. top 50 boys' names since the 1990s, with particularly strong popularity in Latino communities.