Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Angelica
GirlLatin, Italian· “angelic”
- Meaning
- angelic
- Origin
- Latin, Italian
- Pronunciation
- an-JEH-lih-kuh
- Syllables
- 4
- US rank 2025
- #708
- US babies 2025
- 398
- Best rank
- #97 (1996)
- Peak year
- 1996
Meaning and origin of Angelica
Angelica is a Latin and Italian name that means “angelic”.
Angelica comes from the Latin angelicus, meaning angelic, itself from the Greek angelos, messenger. In Renaissance poetry, Angelica is the beautiful princess pursued by knights in Boiardo's Orlando Innamorato and Ariosto's Orlando Furioso, which helped make the name fashionable in Europe. It is also the name of a tall aromatic herb once believed to protect against illness. Angelica Schuyler Church, sister-in-law of Alexander Hamilton, brought it renewed attention through the musical Hamilton. The name feels romantic and graceful, with nicknames like Angie, Jelly and Lica.
Other spellings with the same sound: Angelika.
Popularity over time
Angelica first appears in US Social Security records in 1892. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 67 different years, starting in 1959. Its best national rank was #97 in 1996, the same year it reached its highest count of 3,404 babies. In 2025, 398 babies were named Angelica, and it ranked #708 nationally. That is 47% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,709 in 1920, #1,123 in 1950, #184 in 1980, #138 in 2000, #346 in 2010, and #708 in 2025. Of the 93,217 US girls named Angelica since records began, 34% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 19,076 babies. Since 2010, 9,944 more have been named Angelica.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Michaela, Kaitlin, Karina, Selena, and Carly.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Angelica ranked highest in New Mexico, Florida, and Texas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | #256 | 6 |
| Florida | #427 | 44 |
| Texas | #448 | 74 |
| New Jersey | #449 | 17 |
| Arizona | #516 | 13 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Angelica is usually pronounced an-JEH-lih-kuh, with four syllables. It has eight letters, starts with A and ends in “-ca”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Angelika.
Middle names for Angelica
A few middle names that flow with Angelica: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Angelica
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Lists that include Angelica
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Angelica mean?
Angelica is a Latin and Italian name that means “angelic”.
What is the origin of the name Angelica?
Angelica has Latin and Italian roots. Angelica comes from the Latin angelicus, meaning angelic, itself from the Greek angelos, messenger.
Is Angelica a popular name?
Yes. Angelica ranked #708 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Angelica a boy or girl name?
Angelica is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Angelica?
Angelica is usually pronounced an-JEH-lih-kuh. 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