Angelica is a beautiful and unique feminine name of Italian origin. It is derived from the Italian word "angelo," which means "angel." Therefore, Angelica literally translates to "little angel."
The name Angelica has been popular throughout history, particularly among Italian families. In fact, one of the earliest known references to the name can be found in Luigi Pirandello's play "Il berretto a sonagli" (The Bell Hat), written in 1910.
In literature, Angelica is also the name of a character in Ludovico Ariosto's epic poem "Orlando Furioso," published in 1532. The character Angelica is portrayed as a virtuous and brave princess who embarks on numerous adventures throughout the poem.
Today, Angelica remains a popular choice for parents seeking a distinctive yet meaningful name for their daughter. Its association with angels conveys a sense of purity, grace, and divine beauty, making it a fitting option for those looking to bestow a special name upon their child. Despite its Italian roots, Angelica has been embraced by families from diverse cultural backgrounds, further cementing its status as a timeless and universal name.
The name Angelica has been a popular choice among parents in the United States since the early 1970s. According to the statistics provided, there were six babies named Angelica in 1970. The number of births increased slightly over the next few years, with five births in 1973 and twelve births in 1974.
The popularity of the name Angelica continued to fluctuate throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. There were eight births each in 1975 and 1977, seven births in 1978, ten births in 1980, and nine births in 1981. The name reached its peak popularity during this time period, with sixteen births recorded in 1982.
The popularity of the name Angelica continued to rise throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s. There were nineteen births each in 1987 and 1988, twenty-six births in 1989, and twenty births in 1990. The popularity of the name began to decline after this point, with twelve births recorded in 1991 and eight births each in 1992 and 1996.
Overall, there have been a total of 321 babies named Angelica born in the United States since 1970. This demonstrates that while the popularity of the name has varied over time, it has remained a consistent choice among parents throughout several decades.