Angelus is a Medieval Latin masculine name that serves as the Latin form of Angel. The name ultimately derives from the Greek word ἄγγελος (angelos), meaning "messenger," which in Christian tradition came to refer to celestial beings. In medieval times, Angelus was adopted as a personal name, partly inspired by the veneration of Saint Angelus, a 13th-century priest from Jerusalem. The name has never been widely used in the English-speaking world, where it is occasionally employed as a feminine name in modern times. Despite its relative rarity as a given name, Angelus is most famous as the title of a Catholic devotion. The Angelus (from Latin for "angel") is a prayer commemorating the Incarnation of Christ, recited three times daily—morning, noon, and evening—in many Catholic churches and monasteries. The name comes from the prayer's opening words, Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariæ ("The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary"). This devotion, accompanied by the ringing of bells, is also observed by some Anglican, Lutheran, and Western Rite Orthodox congregations. The Latin form Angelus gave rise to numerous cognates in European languages, such as Aingeru in Basque, Àngel in Catalan, Ange in French, and Anđelo in Croatian. Its feminine counterpart, Angela, became significantly more popular across many cultures. Meaning: "messenger" (from Greek angelos) Origin: Medieval Latin, via Greek and Christian tradition Type: Given name (masculine) Usage regions: Predominantly medieval Europe; modern use rare