Angel Baby Names

Angel names draw on a long religious tradition. Many of them come directly from the archangels of Jewish and Christian texts, while others use the word angel itself, which comes from a Greek word meaning messenger.

The archangels supply several of the most enduring names here. Michael, often described as the leader of the heavenly host, appears in both the Hebrew Bible and the Book of Revelation, and his name is frequently explained as a question meaning who is like God. Gabriel is the messenger of the annunciation in the gospels, and his name gives rise to Gabriella, Gabrielle and Gabriela. Raphael, honored in the Book of Tobit, has a Spanish and Italian form in Rafael, while Uriel appears in later Jewish tradition. Miguel and Michaela carry the Michael tradition into Spanish and into girls' names.

Other names build directly on the word. Angel is used as a given name for both boys and girls, especially in Spanish-speaking families, and Angelina, Angela, Angelo and Angelica each give it a different style, from Italian flair to classic English grace. These names often carry religious meaning for families, but many parents choose them for their gentle sound. If you are drawn to an angel name, consider which language tradition fits your family and how the spelling will look alongside your surname.