Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Angelique

Angélique is the French form of Angelica. Angelica is derived from Latin adjective “angelicus” meaning “angelic”. All of the “Angel” names ultimately originated from the Greek αγγελος (“angelos”) meaning “messenger”. The Greek “angelos” acquired its full meaning – messenger of God – from the Bible (i.e., an angel). During the Renaissance period, two great Italian heroic and romantic epics, Matteo Boiardo’s “Orlando Innamorato” (1495) and Ludovico Ariosto’s “Orlando Furioso” (1516), were published. Both poems featured a beautiful, feisty princess named Angelica (see literary references on the Angelica page for more information). These literary works helped to bolster the popularity of Angelica in France where it was rendered in the French language as Angélique. Ironically, the name is no longer ranked in France itself, but Angelique is showing remarkable success in the United States today. English speakers leave behind the accent over the first “e” and also tend to pronounce the name “AHN-ja-leek” rather than the French “awn-zhay-LEEK”.

All About the Baby Name – Angelique

Personality

OF THE GIRL NAME ANGELIQUE

The number one personality is a leader - strong and competitive. They are willing to initiate action and take risks. One personalities work hard toward their endeavors and have the ability to apply their creative and innovative thinking skills with strong determination. They believe in their ability to succeed and are too stubborn to be hindered by obstacles. Ones meet obstacles head-on with such mental vigor and energy that you better step aside. They resent taking orders, so don't try telling them what to do either. This is an intensely active personality, but they are also known as starters rather than finishers. They have a propensity to become bored and will move quickly to the next project if not properly challenged.  They are the ones to think up and put into action new and brilliant ideas, but they are not the ones to stick around and manage them. This personality has an enthusiastic and pioneering spirit. They are distinctly original.

Popularity

OF THE GIRL NAME ANGELIQUE

Angelique first appeared on the American female naming charts in 1961 and then quickly soared in popularity between 1967 and 1970. While the name was still only used in moderation, the reason for Angelique’s sudden popularity was owed to a popular television character named Angelique Bouchard Collins on the gothic-horror soap-opera nighttime series called “Dark Shadows” (1966-1971). After the initial frenzy wore off over this fictional character, the name started to decline in popularity. Then usage of Angelique picked up again between 1991 and 1992 after a revival “Dark Shadows” TV show aired and after a character named Angelique was featured prominently in the 1992 storyline of soap-opera “All my Children”. What is up with Angelique’s connection to soap-operas? It’s the perfect soap-opera name when you think about it. As a French name, Angelique is full of sophistication, romance and mystery. Angelique has mystique. The name is experiencing her third spike in popularity right now, and we’re not sure exactly why. African-Americans may be embracing the name in homage to a highly respected Beninese Grammy Award winning musician Angélique Kidjo who Time Magazine has called “Africa’s premier diva”. Tennis fans may be responding to German player Angelique Kerber’s name. And Hispanic Americans may be drawn to Mexican-French actress Angelique Boyer. Whatever the reason for Angelique’s sudden jumps up the charts, we welcome her back with open arms. There are quite a few “Angel” name choices and they all sound so beautiful and charming. But there’s something about the French that gives Angelique that certain cosmopolitan flair.

Quick Facts

ON ANGELIQUE

GENDER:

Girl

ORIGIN:

French

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

3

RANKING POPULARITY:

539

PRONUNCIATION:

awn-zhay-LEEK (French); AHN-ja-leek (English)

SIMPLE MEANING:

Angelic

Characteristics

OF ANGELIQUE

Independent

Individualistic

Ambitious

Strong-willed

Inventive

Successful

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Angelique

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME ANGELIQUE

We cannot find any significant literary characters by the name of Angelique

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME ANGELIQUE

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Angelique


Popular Songs

ON ANGELIQUE

Angelique
a song by Mike Oldfield

Famous People

NAMED ANGELIQUE

Angelique Kerber (German tennis player)
Angelique Boyer (Mexican actress)
Angélique Kidjo (singer-songwriter and activist)

Children of Famous People

NAMED ANGELIQUE

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Angelique

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME ANGELIQUE

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Angelique