Angel Names: Unveiling the Hidden Pathways to the Divine
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!
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Haniel
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Radueriel
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Lieke
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Adonai
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Marmaroth
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Haziel
Who are the Angels?
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.
Angel Naming Convention
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.
- Ephriam – ephri + “am” suffix
- Halviil – halvi + “il” suffix
- Cadgal – cadge + “al” suffix
- Minaweh – minav + “eh” suffix. The “v” is changed to “w” to give a softer tone.
- Hibrahim – hibrah + “im”
Most Known Angel Names and Their Meaning
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.
- Gabriel: Also known as Archangel Gabriel, he is one of the popular Angel names mentioned in the Christian Bible. Angel Gabriel is the sole messenger of God, appearing only to select people to directly deliver God’s will to them. Gabriel is derived from the Hebrew term Gaḇrīʾēl which means “God is my Strength”.
- Michael: The name Michael is a popular choice of an Angel name for babies. Archangel Michael is the chief of the Angels and Archangels entrusted with the protection and care of Israel against Fallen Angels. Angel Michael is best remembered from Renaissance paintings featuring him in a battle against Satan. The name Michael came from a Hebrew phrase that means “There is none like God”.
- Raphael: Raphael is also a widely used name today. It is estimated that around 4.5 people for every 100,000 Americans are named Raphael. Angel Raphael is also an Archangel in the Christian Bible. His name was derived from the word ra-fa (רפא), meaning “to heal” or “God has healed”.
- Cherub: Cherub is also a popular Angel name mentioned a few times in the Bible and Quoran. Cherub is a generic Angel term referring to an Angel that functions as the throne bearer of heaven. Cherub has an odd physical appearance, far from being human-like in contrast with Archangels. It has four animal heads, four pairs of wings, and goat-like hooves as feet. The term Cherub was derived from the Hebrew term kĕrūḇ which translates as “child-like” or “to pray like a child”.
Fallen Angels, What Are They?
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.
Most Popular Fallen Angel Name
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 Angel Names
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.
Common Fallen Angel Names
- Barbatos
- Malphas
- Bael
- Berith
- Astaroth
- Asmodeus
- Belial
- Furcas
- Valac
- Vepar
Unique Fallen Angel Names
- Sytry
- Ornias
- Kieval
- Botis
- Turiel
- Morax
- Valefor
- Marbas
- Sariel
- Nelchael
Female Angel Names
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.
Angel Names for Baby Girls
- Rose Angel
- Angelique
- Angela
- Angelina
- Anjenette
- Angelita
- Seraphina
- Angelica
- Angie
- Angeline
- Gabriela
- Hariel
- Celeste
- Mickaela
- Aria
Unique Female Angel Names
- Leilah
- Asariel
- Zarikiel
- Ouriel
- Thiaris
- Vallanel
- Mydael
- Denias
- Mavenye
- Amital
The Angel of Death: Azrael
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.
Famous Angel Names in Fantasy Video Games
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.
- Abaddon – Also known as the Destroyer who triggered the Apocalypse. He debuted at the beginning of the Darksiders Series.
- Tyrael – Best known as the Archangel of Justice in the Diablo series. He became a mortal Fallen Angel, banished from the heavens he tried to protect.
- Dante and Vergil – Dante and Vergil are the undying rivals of Capcom’s RPG series Devil May Cry. They are born twins as Nephilim, meaning they are half demon and half Angel.
- Asmodeus – Asmodeus is the Lord of the Nine, or the Overlord of the Nine Hells, who played an important role in most of the campaigns related to the Nine Hells in Dungeons & Dragons.
- Zariel – Known as the Archduchess of Avernus and the Lord of the First Hell, as depicted in the stories of Dungeons & Dragons. She was a former Angel of the Seven Heavens before succumbing to the corruption of the Nine Hells.
- Khan Maykr – Known as the supreme ruler of Urdak and the Maykrs in Doom Eternal.