Angela
Female nameGreek
✨ Meaning
Angela is the feminine form of the Latin Angelus, itself from the Greek 'angelos,' meaning messenger. In Christian usage the word came to mean a heavenly messenger, so the name is usually read as 'angelic' or 'messenger of God.' Its four clean syllables have made it one of the most reliably international names in Europe, recognisable in Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Romanian and English with barely any change in spelling.
🌍 Origin
The name was carried by Saint Angela Merici, the sixteenth-century Italian founder of the Ursuline order, which established it firmly in Catholic Europe. Angela peaked in the English-speaking world in the mid-twentieth century and has since settled into the quieter zone of names that feel like a parent's or grandparent's generation, a position that typically precedes revival.
📈 Popularity Trend
⭐ Famous People Named Angela
- Angela Merkel
- Angela Davis
- Angela Lansbury
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does Angela mean?
Angela means 'messenger' or 'angelic,' from the Greek 'angelos' by way of the Latin Angelus.
What are the nicknames for Angela?
Angie is by far the most common, with Ange, Gela and Lella used in different countries.
Is Angela an Italian name?
It is Greek in origin and Latin in form, but Italy adopted it early and gave it Saint Angela Merici, so it is often felt to be Italian.