Angel Name Generator
Angel names with meanings for fiction, D&D and OCs, from the archangels of scripture and legend to new names built on the same Hebrew pattern.
A few to start with
- SeraphielFiery Angel
- GabriellaMessenger of God
- UrielLight of God
- ArielLion of God
- RaphaelHealer of Souls
- SophiaDivine Wisdom
Understanding Angel names
Most traditional angel names are short Hebrew sentences about God. The ending -el is the Hebrew word for God, so Michael asks a question, 'Who is like God?', Gabriel is usually rendered 'God is my strength,' and Raphael means 'God heals.' Only Michael and Gabriel are named in the Protestant Bible. Raphael appears in the Book of Tobit, which Catholic and Orthodox Bibles include, and Uriel comes from 1 Enoch and 2 Esdras.
Later writers filled out the ranks. Jewish mystical texts added Metatron and Raziel, whose name is usually read as 'secret of God.' Christian theology arranged angels into nine choirs, from seraphim and cherubim down to archangels and angels. Milton's Paradise Lost gave English readers Abdiel, Ithuriel and Zephon. Because the -el pattern is so consistent, an invented name like Toviel or Ashriel slots in beside them without strain.
How to come up with an Angel name
Build on -el
To make an angel name that sounds traditional, put a short root in front of -el: Zadkiel, Jophiel, Haniel and Raziel all follow this shape. Your own coinage can too: Toviel, Ashriel, Merathiel. Keep the root to one or two syllables, because the -el carries the weight. A few biblical names end in -iah instead, from Yah, a short form of God's name; in Tobit, Raphael disguises himself as a man called Azariah. Neriah or Azariah gives you a quieter, more human-sounding angel.
Pick a rank from the nine choirs
The traditional hierarchy, set out by the writer known as Pseudo-Dionysius, has nine ranks: seraphim, cherubim, thrones, dominions, virtues, powers, principalities, archangels and angels. Seraphim have six wings in Isaiah 6; cherubim guard Eden in Genesis 3. A choir can stand in for a surname: 'Ashriel of the Thrones' outranks 'Toviel, a Power.' In this scheme archangels are the second-lowest choir, a detail that can surprise readers who assume they rule heaven.
Name the duty
Many traditional angels have one job. Raphael heals. In Islamic tradition, Azrael takes souls and Israfil will sound the trumpet on the Last Day. In Jewish legend, Lailah, whose name comes from the word for night, watches over conception. Give your angel one duty and let the name hint at it: a keeper of borders could be Gevuriel, from a Hebrew root for strength. Guardian angels in fiction work best with soft, easy names a child could say, like Ariel or Toviel.
Naming a fallen angel
Fallen angel names come from three main sources. 1 Enoch names the leaders of the Watchers who came down to human women, among them Shemihaza and Azazel. Milton gave Satan's followers the names of ancient gods: Moloch, Belial, Mammon, Mulciber. And Lucifer comes from the Latin translation of Isaiah 14:12, where the 'morning star' is a taunt aimed at the king of Babylon. A useful device for your own: drop the -el to show the break, so Ashriel becomes Ashir.
Angels in scripture and fiction
The best-known angels, where their names come from, and what fiction has done with the pattern.
- Michael'Who is like God?' The only figure the Bible explicitly calls an archangel (Jude 9), he leads the war in heaven in Revelation 12. A name phrased as a question is rare and memorable.
- GabrielThe messenger in Daniel and at the Annunciation in Luke, and Jibril in Islam, who brings the Quran to Muhammad. The meaning is usually given as 'God is my strength.'
- Raphael'God heals.' In the Book of Tobit he travels with Tobias under the human name Azariah, a precedent for angels who walk among people in disguise.
- Uriel'God is my light.' Absent from most Bibles but central to 1 Enoch and 2 Esdras. In Paradise Lost, Milton makes him the regent of the sun, who fails to recognize Satan in disguise.
- MetatronFound in the Talmud and in 3 Enoch, which identifies him with Enoch transformed. The meaning is uncertain, which hasn't stopped Dogma and Good Omens from using him.
- AziraphaleTerry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman's invented angel in Good Omens. It borrows the sounds of real angel names, Azi- and -raph-, without copying any, a good method for OCs.
- CastielThe angel of Supernatural. Creator Eric Kripke said he found the name searching for an 'angel of Thursday'; it sits one letter from Cassiel, Saturday's angel in medieval magical texts.
- TyraelArchangel of Justice in Blizzard's Diablo series, alongside Imperius, Auriel, Itherael and Malthael. Each archangel pairs a name with one virtue, a clean way to build an angelic council.
Popular Angel names
| Name | Meaning | Gender |
|---|---|---|
| Seraphiel | Fiery Angel | Male |
| Uriel | Light of God | Male |
| Gabriella | Messenger of God | Female |
| Raphael | Healer of Souls | Male |
| Ariel | Lion of God | Female |
| Michael | Who is Like God | Male |
| Sophia | Divine Wisdom | Female |
| Cassiel | Speed of God | Male |
| Lailah | Night of God | Female |
| Zadkiel | Righteousness of God | Male |
| Chamuel | He Who Seeks God | Male |
| Sariel | Prince of God | Male |
| Ithuriel | Brightness of God | Male |
| Metatron | Angel of Presence | Male |
| Anael | Grace of God | Male |
| Raziel | Secrets of God | Male |
| Haniel | Joy of God | Female |
| Zaphkiel | Knowledge of God | Male |
| Jophiel | Beauty of God | Male |
| Gabriel | God is My Strength | Male |
59 more Angel names and meanings
Male Angel names
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Abaddon | Biblical name associated with the angel of the abyss. |
| Abdiel | A steadfast angel in Milton’s Paradise Lost. |
| Adriel | Biblical personal name; its bearer is not identified as an angel. |
| Barachiel | An archangel in later religious tradition, associated with blessing. |
| Jeremiel | An angelic name found in later Jewish tradition. |
| Raguel | An angelic name associated with justice in some traditions. |
| Remiel | An angelic name appearing in apocalyptic literature. |
| Sandalphon | A prominent angelic figure in Jewish mystical tradition. |
| Selaphiel | An archangel in later tradition, associated with prayer. |
| Azrael | An angel associated with death in Islamic tradition. |
| Phanuel | An angelic name appearing in the First Book of Enoch. |
| Orifiel | A traditional angelic name associated with Saturn in some systems. |
| Kokabiel | A Watcher named in the First Book of Enoch. |
| Penemue | A Watcher in Enochic tradition, linked with teaching knowledge. |
| Ramiel | An angelic name appearing in apocalyptic tradition. |
| Ophaniel | Invented; suggests a celestial guardian of turning wheels. |
| Vaelion | Invented; evokes a solemn herald of the upper courts. |
| Thamior | Invented; has a measured, watchful sound for a sentinel. |
| Elyndar | Invented; suggests a bright, scholarly celestial presence. |
| Caelveth | Invented; evokes a stern keeper of sacred law. |
| Orastiel | Invented; suggests a distant messenger with a clear voice. |
| Nerathiel | Invented; evokes a guardian who watches over thresholds. |
| Maelcor | Invented; sounds suited to a battle-worn celestial captain. |
| Ithran | Invented; a spare, ancient-sounding name for a quiet guide. |
| Vesperon | Invented; suggests an angel appointed to the evening watch. |
| Aethren | Invented; evokes a swift messenger crossing the heavens. |
| Solvaris | Invented; suggests a radiant keeper of a celestial flame. |
| Damariel | Invented; a stately name for a healer or mediator. |
| Othram | Invented; has a grounded sound for an angel among mortals. |
| Zeraphon | Invented; evokes a resonant voice and a fiery presence. |
Female Angel names
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Anathiel | Invented; suggests a patient guide through grief and change. |
| Liorael | Invented; evokes a gentle bearer of light. |
| Elaris | Invented; a clear, graceful name for a celestial envoy. |
| Mirethiel | Invented; suggests a compassionate guardian of dreams. |
| Caelith | Invented; evokes a cool, composed keeper of the sky. |
| Virelia | Invented; suggests renewal and a restorative presence. |
| Orelune | Invented; evokes a watcher beneath moonlit clouds. |
| Thessara | Invented; a stately name for a judge or oracle. |
| Ilyndra | Invented; suggests a quick-witted messenger and keen observer. |
| Seravelle | Invented; evokes a graceful singer in a celestial choir. |
| Nymara | Invented; a soft, mysterious name for a hidden protector. |
| Avenelle | Invented; suggests a welcoming guide at a distant gate. |
| Maerith | Invented; evokes a reserved and discerning counselor. |
| Velisara | Invented; suggests an elegant envoy with quiet authority. |
| Eiravelle | Invented; evokes a healer known for patience and mercy. |
| Auralith | Invented; suggests a bright, steadfast guardian. |
| Cyranelle | Invented; a lyrical name for a celestial archivist. |
| Lethara | Invented; evokes a calm presence at the edge of sleep. |
| Ophessine | Invented; suggests a mysterious keeper of ancient secrets. |
| Talavienne | Invented; evokes a poised guardian of a sacred place. |
| Meliora | Latin name meaning “better”; suggests hope and moral renewal. |
| Vespera | Latin feminine form related to evening; suits a dusk watcher. |
| Nerissa | Literary name with a fluid, otherworldly sound. |
| Ithavelle | Invented; suggests a discerning envoy from a distant court. |
| Sorelia | Invented; evokes warmth, composure, and a protective nature. |
| Aderynne | Invented; suggests a swift, birdlike messenger. |
| Calithra | Invented; a strong, elegant name for a celestial champion. |
| Orynthia | Invented; evokes a distant, thoughtful star-reader. |
| Faeloria | Invented; suggests a graceful guardian of wild places. |
Angel last names
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| the Dawn-Bearer | An epithet for an angel who announces beginnings. |
| of the Seventh Choir | A rank or affiliation within a celestial order. |
| the Ashen-Winged | Suggests a survivor of a celestial war or fire. |
| the Quiet Flame | An epithet for a restrained but powerful protector. |
| of the Silver Gate | Marks a guardian assigned to a heavenly threshold. |
| the Star-Watcher | For an observer who reads omens in the heavens. |
| of the Far Choir | Suggests kinship with a distant celestial order. |
| the Veil-Keeper | An epithet for one who guards boundaries between worlds. |
| Brightmantle | A fantasy family name evoking luminous ceremonial robes. |
| Duskborne | A fantasy family name for an angel tied to twilight. |
| the Unsworn | A title for an angel who serves no single faction. |
| of the Hollow Crown | Suggests a fallen or contested celestial authority. |
| the Mercy-Bound | An epithet for one devoted to healing or forgiveness. |
| Skylorn | A fantasy family name suggesting exile from the heavens. |
| the Last Lantern | For a guide who keeps watch when others have departed. |
| of the Ember Court | A celestial house name associated with fire and judgment. |
| the Veiled Herald | An epithet for a messenger whose identity is concealed. |
| Cloudward | A fantasy family name suggesting a lineage of skyward travelers. |
| the Unfallen | A title emphasizing loyalty through a celestial rebellion. |
| of the Morrow Choir | Suggests an order charged with heralding the coming day. |
Angel names: frequently asked questions
What are good female angel names?
Scripture names few angels and describes them in male terms, so female angel names in fiction are usually feminine forms or invented. Gabriella, Michaela and Raphaela come straight from the archangels. Seraphina comes from seraphim. Ariel, 'lion of God,' is unisex and also Shakespeare's spirit in The Tempest. Lailah, the Jewish angel of conception, makes a gentle choice. For something new, try Elisiel, Toviah or Merathiel. Select Female in the generator for more.
What are good male angel names?
The archangels: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel. Names from later lore: Raziel, Zadkiel, Jophiel, Chamuel, Metatron, Sandalphon. From Islamic tradition: Jibril, Mikail and Israfil. From Paradise Lost: Abdiel, the angel who refuses to join Satan's rebellion, and Ithuriel, whose spear reveals Satan in disguise. For original male angels, build a short root onto -el: Toviel, Ashriel, Gevuriel.
What are some fallen angel names?
Lucifer, from the Latin 'morning star' in Isaiah 14:12, is the best known. Samael is an accuser and angel of death in Jewish lore. 1 Enoch names Shemihaza and Azazel as leaders of the Watchers who fell. Milton gave fallen angels the names of pagan gods: Moloch, Belial, Mammon, Mulciber. Abaddon, the angel of the abyss in Revelation 9, has a Greek name, Apollyon, meaning destroyer. For your own, try dropping an angel name's -el.
What are the archangels' names?
It depends on the tradition. Catholic tradition names three: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. 1 Enoch lists seven: Uriel, Raphael, Raguel, Michael, Sariel, Gabriel and Remiel. Eastern Orthodox lists add names such as Selaphiel and Barachiel. Islam honors Jibril, Mikail, Israfil and Azrael. For a fictional council, choose a set of four or seven and give each a duty, as Diablo does with Tyrael and the other archangels.
Do angels have last names?
Not in scripture or tradition. Angels are known by one name, sometimes with a role: Michael the Archangel, the Angel of the Lord, the Angel of Death. For a story or an angel OC that needs a last name, use a choir, a duty or a place instead of a family: Ashriel of the Thrones, Toviel Keeper of the Eastern Gate, Merathiel the Seventh Trumpet. These sound right because they follow how angels are already titled.
How do I make an angel name for my OC?
Start with the angel's duty or virtue, then build a name on the -el pattern: a healer could be Merathiel, a warrior Gevuriel. Keep the root short so the name is easy to say. Add a choir or a title for rank. If your angel is fallen, drop or change the -el. Check that you haven't reused a famous name like Castiel by accident. Or type a short description into the generator, like 'gentle guardian angel,' and pick from the results.
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