Angus Boy

Popularity: #880 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: AN-gus /ˈæŋɡəs/

Origin: Scottish; Gaelic

Meaning: Scottish: One choice; Gaelic: A measure of strength

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Angus has its roots in the Gaelic language, deriving from the Old Irish name "Aonghus," which is composed of the elements "aon" meaning "one" or "unique" and "gus" meaning "strength" or "vigor." This etymological foundation reflects a sense of singular strength or uniqueness. The name transitioned into Scottish Gaelic as "Aonghas," before being adopted into English, where it has been used since the Middle Ages.

The earliest recorded use of the name in Scotland dates back to the 9th century, associated with the Pictish king Angus mac Fergus, who ruled during this period, thus embedding the name within the historical narrative of Scottish royalty. A significant historical milestone associated with the name Angus is its connection to Saint Angus, a 7th-century figure who is venerated in both Scottish and Irish traditions.

He is often recognized for his role in the spread of Christianity in the region, and his feast day is celebrated on the 11th of January. The name also appears in various historical texts and genealogies, including the "Annals of the Four Masters," which document the lineage of notable figures in early medieval Ireland and Scotland.

Culturally, the name Angus has been associated with strength and leadership, resonating with various legends and folklore throughout Scottish history. It has been used in literature and poetry, often symbolizing noble qualities.

The name is also linked to the Angus breed of cattle, which is renowned for its quality and strength, further reinforcing the name's connotations of vigor. A diminutive form, "Gus," has emerged in various contexts, though it is less frequently used in historical texts.

Overall, Angus carries a rich legacy that intertwines linguistic roots, historical significance, and cultural resonance.

Famous people named Angus

In this section, you will find notable people named Angus. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Angus who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Angus who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Angus Young is a musician best known for being the co-founder and lead guitarist of AC/DC.

Angus T. Jones is an actor best known for his role as Jake Harper on Two and a Half Men.

Angus Macfadyen is an actor best known for his roles in Braveheart, Equilibrium, and the TV series Spooks.

Angus Deaton is an economist best known for his work on poverty, consumption, and welfare economics.

Fictional characters named Angus

The following list of fictional characters named Angus is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Angus MacGyver is a fictional character from the TV series MacGyver. He is a resourceful secret agent known for his ability to solve problems using everyday materials.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Angus, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

EwanFergusLachlanCallumGavinRonan

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Angus. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

AidanAlistairGrahamFinlayMalcolmDuncanRoryCameron

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Angus was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Angus has ranked as high as #2932 nationally, which occurred in 2006, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Washington, and North Carolina.

In the past 5 years the name Angus has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Angus is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Angus was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Angus.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 58 58
2024 69 69
2023 77 77
2022 86 86
2021 63 63
2020 70 70
2019 84 84
2018 84 84
2017 95 95
2016 76 76
2015 88 88
2014 108 108
2013 82 82
2012 84 84
2011 68 68
2010 87 87
2009 112 112
2008 91 91
2007 106 106
2006 126 126
2005 99 99
2004 102 102
2003 109 109
2002 83 83
2001 119 119
2000 95 95
1999 95 95
1998 96 96
1997 92 92
1996 106 106
1995 78 78
1994 71 71
1993 62 62
1992 56 56
1991 61 61
1990 37 37
1989 47 47
1988 37 37
1987 37 37
1986 34 34
1985 36 36
1984 31 31
1983 37 37
1982 32 32
1981 38 38
1980 31 31
1979 33 33
1978 28 28
1977 28 28
1976 27 27
1975 34 34
1974 30 30
1973 28 28
1972 31 31
1971 35 35
1970 33 33
1969 30 30
1968 19 19
1967 34 34
1966 24 24
1965 23 23
1964 30 30
1963 37 37
1962 25 25
1961 27 27
1960 34 34
1959 38 38
1958 22 22
1957 34 34
1956 34 34
1955 39 39
1954 39 39
1953 34 34
1952 36 36
1951 32 32
1950 37 37
1949 40 40
1948 50 50
1947 36 36
1946 41 41
1945 42 42
1944 34 34
1943 43 43
1942 37 37
1941 41 41
1940 41 41
1939 33 33
1938 40 40
1937 38 38
1936 32 32
1935 31 31
1934 45 45
1933 37 37
1932 40 40
1931 52 52
1930 46 46
1929 45 45
1928 64 64
1927 69 69
1926 88 88
1925 63 63
1924 61 61
1923 72 72
1922 68 68
1921 69 69
1920 61 61
1919 72 72
1918 67 67
1917 54 54
1916 63 63
1915 72 72
1914 59 59
1913 38 38
1912 28 28
1911 23 23
1910 20 20
1909 20 20
1908 7 7
1907 11 11
1906 11 11
1905 11 11
1904 17 17
1903 13 13
1902 15 15
1901 9 9
1900 14 14
1899 17 17
1898 13 13
1897 15 15
1896 14 14
1895 15 15
1894 13 13
1893 10 10
1892 14 14
1891 11 11
1890 21 21
1889 14 14
1888 14 14
1887 16 16
1886 15 15
1885 14 14
1884 15 15
1883 17 17
1882 24 24
1881 9 9
1880 17 17

Top States for Angus (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
VA 6
27%
CA 6
27%
NH 5
23%
NY 5
23%