Angel first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Angel has been for the last 50 years (from 1975 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Angel

A feminine given name of Greek origin meaning "messenger of God".

Popularity of Angel by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Angel is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 74% of people named Angel being male.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 4,964 male babies and 613 female babies born with the name Angel.

YearMale CountFemale Count
20244,964613
20234,865579
20225,065593
20214,698645
20204,514699
20194,908784
20185,058854
20175,270926
20165,5571,014
20156,1111,122
20146,3081,201
20136,3661,225
20127,0201,405
20117,5341,477
20108,7741,610
20099,8511,881
200810,3552,124
200711,3732,301
200611,6002,226
200510,9922,388
20049,5152,614
20039,1612,891
20028,1903,100
20016,9773,080
20006,3062,833
19995,4022,731
19984,7722,384
19974,5142,214
19963,9121,939
19953,7341,733
19943,4761,674
19933,0371,633
19923,0491,696
19912,6851,835
19902,4061,662
19892,1751,716
19881,8291,704
19871,6541,445
19861,6511,583
19851,5631,781
19841,4181,685
19831,3491,576
19821,4421,744
19811,3001,815
19801,4191,689
19791,3041,697
19781,2491,935
19771,2442,136
19761,1401,642
19751,0921,597

The history of the first name Angel

The name Angel has its origins in the Greek word "angelos," which means "messenger" or "envoy." It is derived from the verb "angello," meaning "to deliver a message" or "to announce." This name has been in use since ancient times and has strong ties to various religious and cultural traditions.

In the Judeo-Christian tradition, angels are understood as spiritual beings who serve as messengers and intermediaries between God and humanity. The name Angel was used to refer to these celestial messengers, and it gained widespread popularity across Europe and the Mediterranean region.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Angel can be found in the Bible. In the Book of Revelation, the apostle John mentions an "angel of the church" in several passages, indicating the name's association with religious figures.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Angel. One of the most famous was Angel de la Guarda (1490-1557), a Spanish explorer and conquistador who accompanied Hernán Cortés on his expedition to Mexico in the early 16th century.

Another prominent figure was Angel Rama (1926-1983), a Uruguayan writer, literary critic, and cultural theorist who made significant contributions to the study of Latin American literature and culture.

In the realm of religion, Angel Oliva (1542-1608) was a Spanish priest and missionary who played a crucial role in the evangelization efforts in the Philippines during the 16th century.

Angel Ganivet (1865-1898) was a Spanish writer, essayist, and diplomat who is widely regarded as one of the forerunners of the Generation of '98, a influential literary movement in Spain.

Angel Calderon de la Barca (1600-1681) was a Spanish playwright, poet, and scholar who is considered one of the most prominent figures in the Spanish Golden Age of literature, alongside contemporaries like Lope de Vega and Pedro Calderón de la Barca.

The name Angel has maintained its popularity throughout history, crossing cultural and linguistic boundaries. Its association with celestial messengers and religious symbolism has contributed to its enduring appeal, making it a timeless and meaningful choice for parents seeking a name with depth and significance.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Angel was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Angel, please contact us.

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