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Angus

Pronunciation: [ ANGG-uhs ]

Boy Name #2,162 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A Celtic god of love, strength wrapped in ancient myth

Scottish Irish Celtic
Classic Earthy Strong Vintage

Meaning & Origin

"one strength, unique strength"
Origin: Scottish Gaelic
Language: English
"uniquely strong, one force"
Origin: Old Irish
Language: Irish

Things to Know About This Name

  • Associated with Angus beef cattle, which some may find amusing in a child

The Story of Angus

Angus is the anglicization of the Scottish Gaelic Aonghus, itself derived from the Old Irish Oengus, meaning one strength or unique strength, from the Gaelic words oen (one) and gus (strength, force). In Celtic mythology, Aengus (or Óengus) is a god of youth, love, and poetic inspiration — the Celtic equivalent of Cupid — making this an ancient divine name.

Angus has been popular in Scotland for centuries and is experiencing a revival in English-speaking countries as parents seek strong, unpretentious names with Celtic heritage. It gained rock and roll credibility through AC/DCs guitarist Angus Young, making it simultaneously classic and cool.

Aengus mac Óg is one of the most beloved figures in Irish and Scottish mythology, associated with love, poetry, and the dream world. He was said to live at Newgrange and to have birds always circling his head. This mythological heritage makes Angus a name with deep roots in the Celtic imagination.

Fun Facts

  • In Celtic mythology, Aengus is the god of youth and love, often called Aengus of the Birds
  • AC/DC guitarist Angus Young has worn a schoolboy uniform on stage since the bands founding in 1973

Angus in Other Languages

Irish Aengus
Latin Angus
Scottish Gaelic Aonghus

Famous People Named Angus

A

Angus Young

Musician

1955

Scottish-Australian lead guitarist of AC/DC, one of the greatest rock guitarists of all time

A

Aengus mac Óg Fictional

Other

Celtic god of youth, love, and poetic inspiration in Irish and Scottish mythology

Quick Facts

Gender
Boy
Syllables
2
Popularity Rank
#2,162
Total SSA Count
68
Cultural Origins
Scottish Irish Celtic
Pronunciation
Easy
Formality
Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease
High

Common Nicknames

Gus

Pairs Well With

Angus James Angus William Angus Duncan Angus Alasdair Angus Murdoch

Sibling Names

Similar Names

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Frequently Asked Questions About Angus

What does the name Angus mean?
"one strength, unique strength" (from Scottish Gaelic). "uniquely strong, one force" (from Old Irish). Angus is the anglicization of the Scottish Gaelic Aonghus, itself derived from the Old Irish Oengus, meaning one strength or unique strength, from the Gaelic words oen (one) and gus (strength, force). In Celtic mythology, Aengus (or Óengus) is a god of youth, love, and poetic inspiration — the Celtic equivalent of Cupid — making this an ancient divine name.
What is the origin of the name Angus?
Angus has Scottish Gaelic, Old Irish, Scottish, Irish, and Celtic origins. In Scottish Gaelic, it means "one strength, unique strength". In Old Irish, it means "uniquely strong, one force".
Is Angus a boy or girl name?
Angus is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Angus?
Angus is pronounced ANGG-uhs.
How popular is the name Angus?
Angus is currently ranked #2162 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Angus?
Common nicknames for Angus include Gus.
What are good middle names for Angus?
Popular middle name pairings include Angus James, Angus William, Angus Duncan, Angus Alasdair, and Angus Murdoch.
What are good sibling names for Angus?
Names that pair well with Angus as siblings include Hamish, Catriona, Isla, Fergus, and Morag.
How many syllables does Angus have?
Angus has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Angus a common or rare name?
Angus is an uncommon name, ranked #2162 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Angus

Angus is a boy name with Scottish, Irish, and Celtic origins . The name means "one strength, unique strength" in Scottish Gaelic .

Angus is currently ranked #2,162 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Angus has 2 syllables and is pronounced ANGG-uhs, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Angus include Gus. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

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