
Have you ever thought about having celestial characters in your next story or tabletop campaign? Holy or sacred entities are a common character choice in stories and games. Perhaps the most common among celestial entities are the Angels. Angels are heavenly beings sent by God to guide mankind. They are mentioned in scriptures from almost any religion existing today.
In this article, you will get to know more about Angels and some of the best Angel name ideas available. We will also share what are Angel naming conventions and famous Angel names. If you are looking for the best name for your Angelic character, you are in the right place. Read on!
In a fantasy setting, Angels are powerful beings who possess divine abilities. Angels are defined differently in different literary works and genres. Some stories portray Angels as spiritual beings that undertake the appearance of humans. Some stories depict Angels as soldiers of the gods that are sent to battle demons. The most common depiction of Angels is as heroic characters that fight evil together with a band of ‘good’ humans.
Despite having different definitions and roles from sources, they all have a common appearance and alignment. Angels are described as beautiful human-like entities with a pair of wings that radiate a divine presence across the battlefield. They can fly or walk on two legs, and they can call the power of the heavens to smite evil. Like humans, they can wield weapons such as swords, spears, whips, and bows. They can also cast light magic and they are experts in exterminating evil and undead. Angels in fictional works are chaotic good, although there are some written stories where fallen Angels exist.
A given name is an integral recipe for the creation of Angels. Some sources describe Angel’s life to begin upon receiving their names from their creator. Their abilities, power, and appearance are shaped by the characteristics of the name given to them. Angels are named according to a specific role or description, followed by the suffix “-el” which represents their direct belonging to their creator. For example, the name Gavriel translates to “Man of God” or “Hero of God” in the common tongue.
Other suffixes can be used to create Angel names aside from the suffix “-el”. These suffixes can be easily created by choosing any vowel and combining it with either of the letters “l”, “h”, or “m”. Some examples of suffixes are “il”, “ah”, and “um”. Take a look at a few examples below.
Many works of literature and scriptures pertain to Angel’s names. But some of them are easily distinguished by many when heard due to the popularity of the story. Below are some of the well-known Angel names today together with its Angel name meaning.
There exist Angels that have defied the mandate and law of God. These Angels are exiled from the heavens and thrown out to earth to suffer and live among the mortals. These Angels are called Fallen Angels. The term “Fallen” Angels are not mentioned in any religious scriptures. Texts often describe them as cast-away Angels or Angels who defied the will of God.
In fictional literary works and video games, Fallen Angels are powerful creatures that are the exact opposite of the heavenly Angels. They have black wings, long pointed tails, and horns. Their physical appearance is still human-like but beam a dark and ominous presence. They are chaotic evil and despise any form of good both in the heavens and on earth.
The most popular Fallen Angel name is Lucifer. Lucifer is derived from two Latin words Lux (light) and fer (bearer), meaning it is directly translated as “Light Bearer”. In Christian theology, Lucifer was one of the first Angels created by God. He is a great being, described by prophet Ezekiel as near perfection, full of wisdom, and brimming with beauty. But because of this same splendor, he filled himself with pride and begin to sin, inspiring himself and a few Angels to rebel against God. Archangel Michael cast away Lucifer and his followers from heaven, leaving them to dwell on the earth.
Fallen Angels may also follow the same naming convention of Angels. To distinguish them from common angels, Fallen Angel names should sound rough, grim, or menacing. Infernal Names or Devil Names can be considered Fallen Angel names since they are Angels before their exile.
Biblically speaking, Angels are often described as males. In most biblical passages, Angels often take the form of men when interacting with people. But in truth, Angels do not have gender because they were not created like humans. They remain as heavenly beings and exist as spirits in servitude to God.
Despite this, most fictional literary works describe Angels as male or female. They take up Angel names that sound feminine or soft. Additionally, baby names that are based on the word “Angel” are often given to girls. Take a look at some examples of female Angel names that you may consider.
The Angel of Death is not a Fallen Angel as opposed to common beliefs. In fact, the Angel of Death has the most peculiar role among the angels created by God—escorting the souls of the dead.
Azrael is the Archangel of Death mentioned in Christian and Islam scripture. Its name came from a Hebrew term for “God Has Helped”. Other interpreters also consider this name as “God’s Helper” or “Angel of God”. In Judaism, the Angel of Death is named Malakh ha-Maveth instead of Azrael.
In most fictional literature, on the other hand, the Angel of Death is depicted as a living skeleton wearing a black hood and carrying a reaper’s scythe, symbolizing death. Azrael is responsible for guiding the souls into their final fate. It is said that he carries the verdict of God for each soul, leading them to either the path of heaven, eternal damnation, or purgatory. In Islamic scriptures, Azrael is the sole Angel who records and erases the names of humans at birth and death respectively.
Angels and Fallen Angels are a common sight in video games. In this section, we compiled some of the most famous Angel names found in many video game titles—so that you won’t need to search on your own. Check them out below.