Angelina
/aŋ.d͡ʒe.ˈliː.na/
Angelina is a Latinate diminutive of Angela, derived from the Greek angelos (άγγελος), meaning “messenger.” In Christian theology, angelos became the standard term for divine messengers, giving the name a celestial association.
The -ina suffix, common in Italian and Spanish, adds a diminutive or affectionate quality.
The name has deep roots in Italian culture, where it has been in use since the medieval period. Saint Angelina of Marsciano (1377-1435), an Italian noblewoman who founded a Franciscan convent, is the primary patron saint associated with this form.
What the name Angelina means
In the United States, Angelina reached its peak at No. 43 in 2005, a year after actress Angelina Jolie’s starring role in Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life and her growing humanitarian profile.
By 2024, it had settled to No. 157 with 981 births, a significant retreat from its mid-2000s height.
Angelina Jolie (born 1975) remains the name’s dominant cultural association in the English-speaking world.
Italian-American heritage also keeps the name visible through its frequent use in Italian American families, where it honors both religious tradition and ethnic identity.
The name spans multiple languages with minor variations: Angélina in French, Angelina in Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and German. The Russian form Ангелина (Angelina) has gained popularity in post-Soviet naming trends.
The decline from No. 43 to No. 313 over 19 years illustrates a common pattern: names boosted by a single celebrity tend to peak quickly and then recede as the association becomes less immediate for new parents.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Angelina
Angelina - similar names
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