Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Angela
GirlLatin, Greek· “angel, messenger”
- Meaning
- angel, messenger
- Origin
- Latin, Greek
- Pronunciation
- AN-juh-luh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #408
- US babies 2025
- 765
- Best rank
- #5 (1974)
- Peak year
- 1971
Meaning and origin of Angela
Angela is a Latin and Greek name that means “angel, messenger”.
Angela is the feminine form of the Latin name Angelus, which comes from the Greek angelos, meaning messenger. In Christian use the word came to mean angel, a heavenly messenger, and the name took on that gentle association. Saint Angela Merici founded the Ursulines, a religious order devoted to educating girls, and helped spread the name in Catholic Europe. In the English-speaking world Angela peaked in the mid-twentieth century and now feels warm, grown-up and quietly classic. Angie is the classic nickname, and related forms include Angelica, Angelina and the French Angèle.
Popularity over time
Angela has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #5 in 1974, and the most babies received it in 1971, when 25,901 were named Angela. In 2025, 765 babies were named Angela, and it ranked #408 nationally. That is 49% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #255 in 1920, #148 in 1950, #12 in 1980, #79 in 2000, #160 in 2010, and #408 in 2025. Of the 673,257 US girls named Angela since records began, 33% were born in the 1970s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 159,294 babies. Since 2010, 22,391 more have been named Angela.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Kimberly, Dawn, Stacy, and Jennifer.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Angela ranked highest in Delaware, Arizona, and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware | #173 | 5 |
| Arizona | #273 | 26 |
| California | #287 | 113 |
| Texas | #289 | 120 |
| Georgia | #305 | 34 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Angela is usually pronounced AN-juh-luh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with A and ends in “-la”.
Middle names for Angela
A few middle names that flow with Angela: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Angela
Similar names
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Lists that include Angela
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Angela mean?
Angela is a Latin and Greek name that means “angel, messenger”.
What is the origin of the name Angela?
Angela has Latin and Greek roots. Angela is the feminine form of the Latin name Angelus, which comes from the Greek angelos, meaning messenger.
Is Angela a popular name?
Yes. Angela ranked #408 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Angela a boy or girl name?
Angela is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Angela?
Angela is usually pronounced AN-juh-luh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings