A
Feminine
French
Meaning & History
Angélique is a feminine French given name, the French form of Angelica.
Etymology
Derived from Latin angelicus meaning "angelic", ultimately from Greek ἄγγελος (angelos) meaning "messenger". The name gained prominence through Renaissance literature: the poets Matteo Maria Boiardo and Ludovico Ariosto used the Italian form Angelica in their Orlando Innamorato (1483) and Orlando Furioso (1532) respectively, where Angelica is a central character, the love interest of both Orlando and Rinaldo.Historical Usage
Angélique has been used as a given name in France since at least the 18th century, coinciding with the spread of the Italian literary influence and the popularity of saintly names. Notable bearers include the 17th-century Jansenist nun and writer Angélique de Saint-Jean Arnauld d'Andilly (1624–1684) and the pioneering midwife Angélique du Coudray (1715–1794), who worked to reduce infant mortality in rural France.Notable Bearers
In modern times, the name has been borne by several public figures in diverse fields: German tennis player Angelique Kerber (born 1988), a former world number 1; Beninese musician and activist Angélique Kidjo (born 1960), winner of multiple Grammy Awards; Mexican actress and model Angelique Boyer (born 1988); and Dutch show jumper Angelique Hoorn (born 1975). Other historical figures include Angélique Brûlon (1772–1859), a French soldier who served under Napoleon.Cultural Significance
The name is also associated with the infamous "Angélique case" of 1734: a slave known as Marie-Josèphe Angélique was executed in New France for the alleged arson that destroyed much of Montreal. The character Angelique Bouchard Desmond appears in the television series Dark Shadows (1966–1971) as a witch, reflecting the name's enduring presence in popular culture.- Meaning: Angelic, messenger
- Origin: French, ultimately Greek/Latin
- Type: Given name
- Usage Regions: France, French-speaking countries (e.g., Belgium, Canada, Switzerland), also used in other European and American contexts
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Angélique (given name)