Quick Answer
Yes, you can legally name your child “Angel” in most countries. Angel is a popular baby name and ranked #174 for girls in the U.S. in 2021. Some parents choose the name Angel because of its heavenly meaning, while others simply like the sound of it. While unusual, Angel can also be used as a boy’s name. There are no laws restricting the use of Angel or other common names. However, some countries limit names deemed offensive, obscene or against the child’s best interests. As long as Angel complies with laws and regulations where you live, you’re free to use it.
What does the name Angel mean?
The name Angel is derived from the Greek word “angelos” meaning “messenger”. Angels are supernatural celestial beings in many religions associated with Heaven and regarded as messengers between God and humans.
Naming a child Angel metaphorically implies they will embody angelic qualities such as innocence, kindness and protection. It signifies the parents hope their child will be looked after and blessed.
The name also relates to angels literally, as the spiritual guides and guardians depicted in Christianity, Judaism and Islam with wings, halos and flowing white robes.
So in short, the name Angel evokes positive ideas of divinity, goodness, beauty and watching over others. It expresses high aspirations parents have for their child.
Is Angel a popular baby name?
Angel is currently one of the more popular names for girls in English speaking countries. In the United States, it was ranked #174 in popularity for girls in 2021, according to the Social Security Administration baby name database. This puts it in the top 200 most common girls names.
The name was most popular for American girls between roughly 1975 and 2000. Usage peaked in 1986 when it reached #82 in the rankings.
Angel has been a top 500 girl’s name every year since 1953. Prior to that it was uncommon.
For boys, Angel is far less common. It was ranked #843 for American boys in 2021, given to just 301 baby boys that year.
In the UK, Angel was #281 for girls in 2020. In Australia it was #278 in 2020. So while not nearly as common as names like Olivia or Emma, Angel remains a well-established choice used by many parents today.
Is there anything wrong with naming your child Angel?
There is generally nothing wrong or illegal about naming your son or daughter Angel. It does not violate any naming laws or regulations. As with any name, there are some advantages and disadvantages to consider:
Advantages:
– Angel has a beautiful, heavenly meaning evoking kindness and blessing. This can inspire positive qualities in a child.
– It is easy to spell and pronounce in many languages. This helps avoid confusion or mispronunciation.
– Angel is a gender neutral name suitable for both boys and girls. It’s currently more common for girls but works for either.
– It has familiarity from being a somewhat popular name. But it also has some uniqueness and flair compared to other common names.
Disadvantages:
– The name may seem overly sweet or virtuous to some people. Your child may desire something more modern or edgy someday.
– Angel references a religious concept, which some parents may want to avoid.
– Your child may dislike having an uncommon name for their gender (more common with boys named Angel).
– As with any name, your child may encounter some teasing growing up like being called “angelic” even if misbehaving.
Overall there is nothing inherently problematic about Angel that should deter you from using it. As with any name, your child can embrace it or change it if they desire. Most experts say it’s fine provided you consider the pros, cons and meaning.
What are some alternative names similar to Angel?
If you like the sound and meaning of Angel but want to consider some alternatives, here are some ideas:
Girl name options:
– Angela
– Angelina
– Angelique
– Evangeline
– Angelita
– Angela
– Angelica
Boy name options:
– Evander
– Angus
– Angelo
– Micah
– Ariel
– Gabriel
Most of these names contain “angel” as part of them or have a similar religious meaning. Angelo, Micah and Ariel are some masculine name choices relating to angels.
You can also consider names meaning “blessing” or “heavenly” like:
– Grace
– Nevaeh
– Eden
– Celeste
– Heaven
So there are plenty of options that can evoke similar sentiments as the name Angel without using the exact name.
Are there any naming laws that ban certain baby names?
Most countries do not have laws that prohibit specific baby names like Angel. However, some places do have laws restricting baby naming rights in certain situations. Typically, these laws aim to prevent names that are:
– Obscene/Offensive – Names that are profane, racist, lewd or otherwise offensive may be banned.
– Confusing – Names that are incomprehensible, misleading or strongly gender ambiguous may not be allowed.
– Against the child’s interests – Bizarre names that could subject the child to ridicule or abuse may sometimes be prohibited.
For example, New Zealand’s naming laws state names cannot cause offence, be unreasonably long or cause confusion.
Sweden prohibits first names that could be discomforting, along with surnames or titles as first names.
Iceland maintains an approved government register of around 1800 male and 2900 female first names parents must choose from. Unusual names must be confirmed by a special committee.
So while most places don’t ban specific names, there are general naming principles parents may have to comply with. But simple, established names like Angel are fine in virtually all countries.
Are there any naming restrictions for an Angel?
While the name Angel itself is widely allowed, some places may restrict how it is spelled or styled. Here are some potential naming rules to keep in mind:
– Length – Names exceeding a certain length may not be permitted. For example, the last name character limit is 40 in China and 100 in Denmark.
– Symbols/Numbers – Names containing unusual symbols (&, @, #, etc) or numbers may not be allowed.
– Titles – Names with prefixes like King, Princess, Admiral may be prohibited in some countries.
– Stylizations – Unconventional capitalization like “AnGEL” or accent marks over letters may be disallowed or unable to fit on government documents.
So while Angel is a perfectly acceptable name choice, just beware of any naming restrictions that could impact how you can stylize it. Keep the spelling simple for maximum compliance and smooth paperwork.
Iceland again has strict rules, allowing only letters from the Icelandic alphabet and require patrynomic last names based on the father’s first name (Angel Larusdottir for example).
But as long as you stick to regular spelling of Angel without embellishments, there should be no legal naming issues to worry about.
What middle names go with Angel?
Choosing a middle name is a great way to complement first names like Angel. Here are some beautiful and melodious middle name ideas if considering Angel for your baby girl:
– Angel Rose
– Angel Jane
– Angel Elizabeth
– Angel Marie
– Angel Grace
– Angel Mae
– Angel Louise
– Angel Jade
– Angel Violet
– Angel Kate
– Angel Sophia
– Angel Clara
– Angel Charlotte
– Angel Aurora
– Angel Willow
– Angel Iris
For boys:
– Angel Michael
– Angel Thomas
– Angel James
– Angel Daniel
– Angel John
– Angel Alexander
– Angel Henry
– Angel Samuel
– Angel David
– Angel Wyatt
– Angel Oliver
– Angel Miles
– Angel Levi
– Angel Isaac
– Angel Elijah
Aim for middle names around 2-3 syllables that pair nicely with the single syllable Angel. Choices like Rose, Grace, Thomas, James, Samuel and Wyatt help Angel flow well.
What are good sibling names for an Angel?
If you already have a child named Angel, here are some ideas for complementary names if having another baby:
Girl sibling name ideas:
– Hope
– Charity
– Harmony
– Celeste
– Faith
– Genesis
– Trinity
– Felicity
– Grace
– Miracle
Boy sibling name ideas:
– Zion
– Benedict
– Saint
– Moses
– Messiah
– Reverie
– Divine
– Glory
– Heaven
– Seraph
Names with spiritual or heavenly meanings tend to make great siblings for an Angel. Short names like Hope, Faith, Zion and Saint help contrast the single syllable Angel.
You can also choose names of angels like Gabriel, Ariel, Azrael, Castiel and Seraphiel. Biblical names like Moses, Genesis or Messiah also work nicely with Angel.
Does Angel work for a boy or girl name?
Angel originated as a feminine name, likely due to the influence of angels being depicted as female in art and culture. However, Angel can certainly work for boys as well, despite being less common.
There are some famous male figures named Angel, such as:
– Angel Cabrera – professional Argentinian golfer
– Angel Cordero Jr – Puerto Rican jockey inducted into the Horse Racing Hall of Fame
– Angel Di Maria – Argentinian soccer player
– Angel Romero – Paraguayan soccer player for national team
So Angel does have some usage history as a masculine given name. Other similar male names like Evander, Evangelos and Angelo can also lend credence to Angel as a potential boy’s name.
While some people may still see Angel as more feminine, it can work for either gender. The most important factors are that you and your child both like the name Angel, regardless of being male or female.
What are some good nicknames for an Angel?
Cute nickname ideas for an Angel:
Girls:
– Angie
– Ella
– Angy
– Lina
– Annie
– Ang
– Angelica
Boys:
– Andy
– Angelo
– Gil
– Angie
– Geelo
– Van
Angie is the most popular and standard nickname for Angel. Ella or Lina can represent the “el” sound from Angel. And Andy or Angelo are great short forms for a boy.
Get creative and come up with fun nicknames like Angy or Geelo if you want something more unique. Allow your child to choose their own nickname later on if they dislike your ideas!
Is Angel a respectful choice for a religious name?
Naming a child Angel is generally seen as respectful and positive within religion. Angels have major significance in Christianity, Judaism and Islam. They are mentioned many times in the Bible and Quran as messengers of God.
However, some more conservative religious people argue naming a child after a heavenly being is inappropriate or sacrilegious. They view it as too bold to associate a human child with a divine angelic being.
Others counter that God created humans as little lower than the angels (Psalm 8:5), so it is a sign of high aspirations parents have for their child.
Overall, most religious people find Angel to be a beautiful and meaningful name choice. It is not blasphemous or offensive. At worst, some view it as slightly presumptuous. As long as the parents’ intentions are sincere, Angel should not be seen as disrespectful by any major religion.
Conclusion
Naming a child is a personal decision full of considerations. If you love the name Angel, it can be an excellent option for both baby boys and girls that is meaningful and melodic.
Angel has a heavenly connotation of guardianship and innocence that many find profoundly appealing. While less common for boys, Angel works well for either gender.
Just ensure Angel complies with any naming laws or customs where you live. Avoid obscure stylizations. And consider how well it combines with potential middle names and siblings’ names.
While a small minority find Angel slightly too virtuous or religious, it remains a widely accepted choice. Most agree Angel is a lovely name that evokes beauty, divinity and kindness.
