The baby name Angus combines Celtic roots with modern bravado.
Thanks to Nessa and Emmeline for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.
WHAT DOES ANGUS MEAN?
The Irish god of love and youth, Angus is sometimes referred to as the Celtic Cupid.
But this god was more man than cherub, free of wings or arrows.
He was the son of the Dagda, a powerful father-figure king in Irish myth, and Boand, a goddess associated with rivers.
Depending on the source, Aengus is associated with youth, music, poetry and yes, love.
He was also said to be quite handsome – a blend between Cupid and Apollo.
The Irish god’s name is often spelled Aengus. Óenghus, Aenghus and Aonghus all appear in the historical record, too. It comes from words meaning one and strength.
A handful of ancient – and, in some cases, probably legendary – kings answered to the name. So did the ninth century Saint Angus the Culdee. He tried to live as a hermit, but when the faithful kept seeking him out, he retired to a monastery where he co-wrote one of the earliest accounts of the Irish martyrs.
There’s even a minor character by the name in Shakespeare’s MacBeth.
The baby name Angus appears on the map, too, as in County Angus.
FORMAL NAME FOR GUS
One of the reasons the baby name Angus might appeal today? It’s not just the history or the meaning.
It’s the sound.
The baby name Angus shortens naturally to Gus, putting it in the company of favorites like August.
MACGYVER and YOUNG
Pop culture has been kind to the baby name Angus in recent years.
AC/DC guitarist and co-founder Angus Young is known for his schoolboy uniform. But the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer is equally famous for his legendary performances. He lends the baby name Angus some serious edge.
Angus MacGyver has solved problems under pressure across the decades. The original MacGyver ran seven seasons, beginning in 1985. A reboot launched in 2016 and ended in 2021. While he’s often called Mac on the show, his first name matches his Scottish surname nicely.
There’s also child actor Angus T. Jones, of Two and a Half Men fame; BBC television presenter Angus Purden; and a handful of others.
Two young adult-oriented movies gave the name to characters.
1995’s Angus was a classic underdog story. It’s notable mostly because James Van Der Beek made his big screen debut as the bully who ends badly.
In 2008 teen rom com Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging, Angus is the cat’s name.
HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME ANGUS?
Until the middle of the twentieth century, the baby name Angus appeared on the fringes of the US Top 1000. But it left after 1948, and remains rare. Just 77 boys received the name in the year 2023.
Elsewhere in the English-speaking world, the story is different. The baby name Angus ranks in the Scottish Top 100. It’s familiar elsewhere in the UK. And Australia and New Zealand seem to boast more Anguses than North America.
That makes the baby name Angus a Celtic cool possibility that’s just a little offbeat, too. It’s traditional and unexpected, easy to spell and pronounce without being even a little bit common. No one expects to meet a baby boy called Angus – at least not in the US. And that might make this a great option for parents.
What do you think of the baby name Angus?
Originally published on February 14, 2009, this post was revised on October 23, 2021, and August 30, 2024.
Sure no one will read this but I have twin 13 yr. old boys. Their names are Malcolm and of course Angus. Yes after the band AC/DC. We’re not groupies r weirdo parents we just like rock music and with AC/DC being one of our favorites we was trying to think of names and I think their mother mentioned Malcolm and Angus and it just had a great ring and flow to the 2 names so instead of naming them mustard and ketchup, which is what their 6 yr, old at the time, brother wanted to call them, we went with Malcolm and Angus. Side note. They r seriously the 2 best kids any parent could ever ask for. Literally top of their class 1 and 2 since 1st grade and Malcolm is musically talented and Angus is athletically talented. Never had a sec of trouble out of either one. Polite to everyone and respectful to everyone. They’ll give u shirt of their back, play u a song and teach u how to shot a basketball all while solving a math problem lol. Seriously we’re very lucky.
I had a Scottish roommate my freshman year of college. We discussed classic Scottish names, and I recall liking Angus then. It fell out of the back of my mind, until one day I was surfing Nameberry. I shared it with my DH. He was wild about it, and it’s now the name of our son! I had my doubts during the pregnancy, but he insisted. And I am so very glad he did.
My husband is Angus. He is exactly the way you imagine someone whose name means “one choice” would be – strong, stubborn, charming, influential. There is no other name in this world that I can imagine suiting him more. His whole life, he has been extremely confident, and so has never had any problem with bullying, or with people snickering at his name (chances are he’d find something to tease you about in response before you’d even finished your sentence). He loves his name so much, that he’s even trying to convince me to name our son Angus, and though I’m not sure I want a Junior, it does make me smile to think of having a little Angus running around.
Okay, quick update, Angus is now 10, and my son still loves the name, his coaches and teachers always remember it and He never gets teased about it except in a good natured “Hey Beef” type of way. Parents now a days name their kids all kinds of wierd names and I’m pretty sure the name teasing is a product of a by gone era because I rarely here of it and I stay pretty close to the ground in my son’s life. All in All I am so happy I named my son Angus and very happy he wears the name proudly and confidently.
Angus Alexander Watson, you rock my son.
I don’t know why, but I can’t speak this name without saying it in a loud, obnoxious Scottish brogue! I do think it’s a handsome name, even though I couldn’t use it, because I’d always think of cows and AC/DC.
Okay Susan, chill out. We named our son Angus, my Dad and Grandfather also had the name. They were both called Sandy throughout their lives, never really got that but its a Scottish thing. Our son is now 8 and loves the name. We’ve never had any problem with teasing, occasionally he gets called Beef, but he doen’t seem to mind, and he is a big kid anyway. Nobody snickers when they hear the name, and he gets lots of compliments on his strong Galic name. Also, everyone who hears it remembers his name so he is always the teachers, coaches etc. remember it right off. I imagine this will come in handy later in live. Child abuse, come on now, maybe a little over the top.
It is so nice to hear of a real Angus! Great choice!
Really? I think Angus would wear well. I know a pint-sized Seamus, and more than one little Gus. I suppose it depends on where you live, but here, Angus would fit right in.