Anela

♀ Girl

Pronounced ah-NEL-ah /ɑːˈnɛl.ɑː/High

Meaning: Hawaiian form of Angela, meaning 'angel' or 'messenger of God'; also a Czech/Slovak diminutive of Anna meaning 'grace'High

In 30 seconds: Anela is the Hawaiian word for angel, used as a given name meaning 'messenger of God.' It is also a Czech diminutive of Anna. Gentle, melodic, and cross-cultural.

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Origin HighHawaiian, Czech

MeaningHawaiian form of Angela, meaning 'angel' or 'messenger of God'; also a Czech/Slovak diminutive of Anna meaning 'grace'

U.S. rank (2024)#3012 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births54 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2007

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,735

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Anela is the Hawaiian adaptation of Angela, which derives from the Latin and Greek angelus, meaning 'messenger' or 'angel.' Hawaiian missionaries introduced Christianity to the islands in the 1820s, and many biblical and Christian names were phonetically adapted to Hawaiian phonology, which uses only 13 letters and favors open syllables. Anela became a genuine Hawaiian name in this process.

As a given name, Anela is used in Hawaii, by families of Hawaiian heritage, and increasingly by parents attracted to its melodic sound and positive meaning. In Czech and Slovak, it functions as a diminutive of Anna, demonstrating how similar sounds arise independently in different linguistic traditions. It remains a gentle, cross-cultural choice with an unmistakable warmth.

Did you know? The Hawaiian language adapted many Christian names when missionaries arrived in the 1820s — Anela (angel), Ioane (John), and Malia (Mary) became fully Hawaiian names that carry deep religious and cultural meaning today.

Overall data confidence 88%

Hawaiian Dictionary (Pukui & Elbert) — Anela as Hawaiian form of AngelaBehind the Name – Anela — Cross-cultural usage and etymology

Variations

AngelaAnelaMeleAngele

Nicknames

NellNelEla

Famous Bearers

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If you like Anela…

Angela— root name sharing the angel meaning

Malia— Hawaiian adaptation of Mary, from the same missionary naming era

Leilani— popular Hawaiian girl name with a similarly flowing, gentle sound

Kalani— Hawaiian girl name meaning the sky or the royal one

Anna— root of the Czech variant of Anela, sharing the grace meaning

Frequently Asked

What does the name Anela mean?

Anela means 'angel' or 'messenger of God' in Hawaiian, adapted from the English/Latin Angela. In Czech it is a diminutive of Anna, meaning 'grace.'

How do you pronounce Anela?

Anela is pronounced ah-NEL-ah (/ɑːˈnɛl.ɑː/), with stress on the second syllable.

Is Anela a boy or girl name?

Anela is a girl name, used exclusively for girls in both Hawaiian and Czech traditions.

How popular is Anela?

Anela is rare outside Hawaii and Czech/Slovak communities, making it a distinctive and meaningful choice for families with those heritages.