Angel

♀ Girl

Angel Pronunciation

Angel is pronounced AYN-jul /ˈeɪn.dʒəl/High

Meaning: Messenger; from Greek angelos, 'one who brings a message,' applied in Christian tradition to divine messengersHigh

In 30 seconds: A timeless Greek-origin name meaning 'messenger,' used in the Christian tradition for divine messengers. It has ranked on U.S. charts for over a century and crosses cultural boundaries comfortably.

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Origin HighGreek, Latin

MeaningMessenger; from Greek angelos, 'one who brings a message,' applied in Christian tradition to divine messengers

U.S. rank (2025)#546 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births551 girls (0.03% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2002

Total births (all-time)≈ 100,266

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Angel derives from the Greek angelos (messenger, envoy), which was adopted into Latin as angelus and into early Christian vocabulary as the word for a divine messenger. The name entered European use in the medieval period through Christian piety, first in Spanish-speaking and then broader Catholic communities.

In the United States, Angel has been a consistent chart presence for girls since the mid-20th century, peaking in the 1980s–1990s. It remains widely used across Hispanic, African American, and general American communities, valued for its spiritual warmth and cross-cultural ease.

Did you know? The Greek word angelos simply meant 'messenger' or 'envoy' in secular use — it was early Christian writers who gave it the heavenly specialization we now think of as primary.

Overall data confidence 95%

Behind the Name — Angel — etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

AngelaAngelinaAngelica

Nicknames

Angie

Themes & Styles

Greek Unisex Classic Spiritual Christian

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Angel…

Seraphina— angelic-theme name drawn from the highest order of heavenly beings

Celeste— spiritual celestial name with the same timeless devotional feel

Divine— virtue/spiritual concept name in the same devotional vein

Grace— classic virtue name with deep Christian resonance

Heaven— explicitly spiritual concept name popular in similar communities

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Frequently Asked

How do you pronounce Angel?

Angel is pronounced AYN-jul (/ˈeɪn.dʒəl/). Press play above to hear Angel said aloud.

How do you say Angel?

Angel is said AYN-jul (/ˈeɪn.dʒəl/). Press play above to hear Angel said aloud.

What does the name Angel mean?

Angel means 'messenger,' from Greek angelos. In Christian tradition it refers specifically to divine messengers.

Is Angel a boy or girl name?

Angel is used for both sexes; it charts for girls in U.S. data and has a long history as a male name in Spanish-speaking cultures.

How popular is Angel?

Angel ranked #498 for U.S. girls in 2024.