Angela is a feminine given name of Latin origin, derived from the Latin word 'angelus', which means 'messenger' or 'angel'. It was introduced into English-speaking countries by way of Italy in the Middle Ages. The name Angela gained popularity during the 19th century and reached its peak usage in the United States during the early 20th century. Today, it is still widely used and is often associated with warmth, kindness, and approachability. Notable individuals named Angela include American actress Angela Lansbury and Italian opera singer Angela Gheorghiu. The name Angela is also used as a surname, though less frequently than as a given name.
The name Angela was quite popular during the mid-20th century, with a significant rise starting from the late 1950s and peaking in the early 1960s, reaching its highest point in 1967 with 65 births. However, popularity declined steadily thereafter, dropping to single-digit figures by the late 1980s, and remaining relatively low since then.