Archangel Names
The word archangel comes from the Greek archangelos, “chief messenger.” The Protestant Bible names only one angel with that title — Michael (Jude 1:9) — and names just two angels at all, Michael and Gabriel. Catholic tradition adds Raphael from the Book of Tobit, and older Jewish writings like 1 Enoch list seven archangels who stand before God.
Below you’ll find more than 90 archangel names drawn from those texts and from Orthodox, Coptic, Islamic, Kabbalistic and medieval traditions, each with its meaning and role, followed by baby names inspired by the best-known archangels. For the wider angelic world, see our main angel names list, the rebels in fallen angel names, and names that mean angel.
The seven archangels of 1 Enoch
Chapter 20 of the Book of Enoch, a Jewish text from roughly the 3rd century BC, lists seven “holy angels who watch.” It is scripture in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Phanuel appears among the four “presences” in 1 Enoch 40.
| Name | Meaning | Role / source |
|---|---|---|
| Michael | “Who is like God?” (Hebrew) | Leader of the heavenly host; Daniel 10:13, Jude 1:9, Revelation 12:7 |
| Gabriel | “God is my strength” | Messenger to Daniel, Zechariah and Mary; Luke 1:19, 1:26 |
| Raphael | “God heals” | Guides and heals Tobias in the Book of Tobit |
| Uriel | “God is my light” | Reveals secrets to Ezra in 2 Esdras 4 |
| Raguel | “Friend of God” | Brings judgment on the luminaries (1 Enoch 20:4) |
| Sariel | “Command of God” (or “prince of God”) | Watches over spirits who sin (1 Enoch 20:6) |
| Remiel | Possibly “mercy of God” or “thunder of God” | Set over those who rise from the dead (1 Enoch 20:8) |
| Phanuel | “Face of God” | Angel of repentance and hope (1 Enoch 40:9) |
Archangels in Orthodox, Coptic and medieval Christian tradition
Eastern Orthodox churches honor seven or eight archangels on the Synaxis of the Archangels (November 8), and the Coptic Church keeps its own list of seven. The Catholic Church officially names only Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. For more holy names, visit our saint names list.
| Name | Meaning | Role / source |
|---|---|---|
| Selaphiel | “Prayer of God” | Orthodox archangel of prayer, often shown with hands folded |
| Jegudiel | “Glorifier of God” | Orthodox patron of those who work, holding a crown |
| Barachiel | “Blessing of God” | Orthodox archangel of God’s blessings, often with roses |
| Jeremiel | “God’s mercy” or “exaltation of God” | Named in 2 Esdras 4:36; Orthodox Jerahmiel |
| Suriel | Often identified with Uriel or Sariel | One of the seven Coptic archangels |
| Sedakiel | “Righteousness of God” | Coptic archangel (also Zedekiel) |
| Sarathiel | Meaning uncertain | Coptic archangel honored in liturgical calendars |
| Ananiel | Meaning uncertain | Coptic archangel on the list of seven |
| Simiel | Meaning uncertain; sometimes equated with Chamuel | Named in some medieval lists of seven archangels |
| Orifiel | Meaning uncertain | Medieval list of seven; Trithemius’s angel of Saturn |
| Zachariel | “Remembrance of God” | Medieval list of seven; linked with Jupiter |
| Yahoel | Combines Yah and El, two names of God | Guides Abraham in the Apocalypse of Abraham |
Archangels and chief angels in Islam
Islamic tradition honors four archangels. Gabriel and Michael are named in the Qur’an (2:98); Israfil and Azrael come from hadith and later tradition. Believing in angels is one of the six articles of faith. See also the 99 names of Allah.
| Name | Meaning | Role / source |
|---|---|---|
| Jibril | Arabic form of Gabriel | Brought the revelation of the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad |
| Mika’il | Arabic form of Michael | Oversees rain and provision for creation (Qur’an 2:98) |
| Israfil | Possibly related to “seraph” | Will blow the trumpet announcing the Day of Judgment |
| Azrael | Hebrew-derived, “God has helped” | Angel of death (malak al-mawt, Qur’an 32:11) |
| Malik | “Master” or “king” | Guardian of Hell, not usually counted as an archangel (Qur’an 43:77) |
| Ridwan | “Good pleasure, contentment” | Guardian of Paradise in Islamic tradition |
Archangels of the Kabbalah and modern angelology
Jewish mysticism assigns an archangel to each sephirah of the Tree of Life. Several of these names later became popular in modern and New Age lists of archangels.
| Name | Meaning | Role / source |
|---|---|---|
| Metatron | Debated; possibly Greek “beside the throne” | Keter (crown); the heavenly scribe, identified with Enoch in 3 Enoch |
| Raziel | “Secret of God” | Chokmah (wisdom); keeper of divine mysteries, Sefer Raziel |
| Tzaphkiel | “Contemplation of God” | Binah (understanding) |
| Tzadkiel | “Righteousness of God” | Chesed (mercy); also spelled Zadkiel |
| Khamael | “He who sees God” | Gevurah (strength); also Camael or Chamuel |
| Haniel | “Grace of God” | Netzach (victory); also Hanael |
| Sandalphon | From Greek synadelphos, “co-brother” | Malkuth (kingdom); carries prayers to heaven |
| Jophiel | “Beauty of God” | Angel of wisdom and beauty in later tradition |
| Ariel | “Lion of God” | A poetic name for Jerusalem in Isaiah 29; later an angel of nature |
Planetary archangels of the week
Renaissance scholars like Johannes Trithemius and Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa linked seven archangels to the seven classical planets and days. Michael (Sun), Gabriel (Moon) and Raphael (Mercury) complete this list.
| Name | Planet / day | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Samael | Mars / Tuesday | In the Talmud an accuser and angel of death; the name is often read as “venom of God” |
| Sachiel | Jupiter / Thursday | Linked with abundance; name often read as “covering of God” |
| Anael | Venus / Friday | Frequently identified with Haniel |
| Cassiel | Saturn / Saturday | Angel of solitude and patience in occult tradition |
Archangels of the zodiac signs
Agrippa’s Three Books of Occult Philosophy (1533) assigns an angel to each sign. Capricorn’s angel, Hanael, is a form of Haniel above. Star-lovers can explore more in our constellation names.
| Name | Zodiac sign | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Malchidiel | Aries | March 21 – April 19 |
| Asmodel | Taurus | April 20 – May 20 |
| Ambriel | Gemini | May 21 – June 20 |
| Muriel | Cancer | June 21 – July 22 |
| Verchiel | Leo | July 23 – August 22 |
| Hamaliel | Virgo | August 23 – September 22 |
| Zuriel | Libra | September 23 – October 22 |
| Barbiel | Scorpio | October 23 – November 21 |
| Adnachiel | Sagittarius | November 22 – December 21 |
| Cambiel | Aquarius | January 20 – February 18 |
| Barchiel | Pisces | February 19 – March 20 |
Archangel-like beings in Zoroastrian and Yazidi faith
In older English scholarship the Amesha Spentas (“Bounteous Immortals”) of Zoroastrianism are often called archangels. Each embodies a divine quality and guards part of creation.
| Name | Meaning | Guardian of |
|---|---|---|
| Vohu Manah | “Good Mind” | Animals and cattle |
| Asha Vahishta | “Best Truth” or “Best Righteousness” | Fire |
| Khshathra Vairya | “Desirable Dominion” | Metals and the sky |
| Spenta Armaiti | “Holy Devotion” | The earth |
| Haurvatat | “Wholeness, perfection” | Water |
| Ameretat | “Immortality” | Plants |
| Spenta Mainyu | “Bounteous (Holy) Spirit” | The creative spirit of Ahura Mazda |
| Tawûsê Melek | “Peacock Angel” (Kurdish) | Leader of the seven angels in the Yazidi faith |
Baby names inspired by archangels
The archangels have given the world some of its most enduring names. Michael and Gabriel remain perennial favorites in the US, and their international forms are just as beloved. For more ideas, see biblical boy names and biblical girl names.
| Name | From | Language / gender |
|---|---|---|
| Miguel | Michael | Spanish and Portuguese, boy |
| Michele | Michael | Italian, boy (MEE-keh-leh) |
| Michel | Michael | French, boy |
| Mikhail | Michael | Russian, boy |
| Mykhailo | Michael | Ukrainian, boy |
| Mihail | Michael | Romanian and Greek, boy |
| Mihály | Michael | Hungarian, boy (MEE-hy) |
| Michał | Michael | Polish, boy (MEE-how) |
| Mícheál | Michael | Irish, boy (MEE-hawl) |
| Mikael | Michael | Scandinavian and Finnish, boy |
| Mikkel | Michael | Danish and Norwegian, boy |
| Mika | Michael | Finnish short form, boy |
| Misha | Michael | Russian diminutive, boy |
| Michelle | Michael | French feminine, girl |
| Michaela | Michael | Latin feminine, girl |
| Mikaela | Michael | Scandinavian-style feminine, girl |
| Gabriela | Gabriel | Spanish, Portuguese and Polish, girl |
| Gabriella | Gabriel | Italian, girl |
| Gabrielle | Gabriel | French, girl |
| Gabriele | Gabriel | Italian, boy |
| Gavriel | Gabriel | Hebrew, boy |
| Gavril | Gabriel | Slavic and Romanian, boy |
| Gábor | Gabriel | Hungarian, boy |
| Gabe | Gabriel | English short form, boy |
| Gabi | Gabriel | Short form, girl or boy |
| Rafael | Raphael | Spanish and Portuguese, boy |
| Raffaele | Raphael | Italian, boy |
| Raphaela | Raphael | Feminine form, girl |
| Rafa | Raphael | Spanish short form, boy |
| Rafi | Raphael | Hebrew and Arabic short form, boy |
| Uri | Uriel | Hebrew, “my light,” boy |
| Uriah | Uriel (same root) | Hebrew, “God is my light,” boy |
| Reuel | Raguel (same Hebrew name) | Hebrew, “friend of God,” boy (Exodus 2:18) |
| Jerahmeel | Jeremiel | Hebrew, “God has mercy,” boy (Jeremiah 36:26) |
Using archangel names respectfully
- Know the tradition. Only Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are recognized by the Catholic Church; lists of seven vary between Orthodox, Coptic and Enochian sources.
- Check the meaning. Most archangel names end in -el, Hebrew for “God,” so the meaning usually describes a quality of God.
- Mind the darker names. Samael and Azrael are linked with death and judgment — striking for fiction, but think twice before choosing them for a baby.
- Try an international form. If Michael or Gabriel feels too common, Mícheál, Mikkel, Gavriel or Raffaele keep the meaning with a fresher sound.
- Writers, cite sources. If you use archangels in fiction or games, borrowing from 1 Enoch or Agrippa adds depth and authenticity.
Frequently asked questions
What are the names of the 7 archangels?
According to 1 Enoch 20, the seven archangels are Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Raguel, Sariel and Remiel. Eastern Orthodox lists usually name Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Selaphiel, Jegudiel and Barachiel, sometimes adding Jeremiel.
How many archangels are named in the Bible?
In the Protestant Bible, only Michael is called an archangel (Jude 1:9), and Gabriel is the only other angel named. Catholic and Orthodox Bibles also include Raphael in the Book of Tobit, and 2 Esdras mentions Uriel and Jeremiel.
Who is the highest archangel?
Michael is generally considered the chief archangel in Judaism, Christianity and Islam — he leads the heavenly armies against the dragon in Revelation 12.
What does the “-el” at the end of angel names mean?
“El” is a Hebrew word for God. That’s why Michael means “Who is like God?”, Gabriel “God is my strength” and Raphael “God heals.”
What are the four archangels in Islam?
Islamic tradition names Jibril (Gabriel), Mika’il (Michael), Israfil and Azrael (the angel of death).
Is Lucifer an archangel?
The Bible never calls Lucifer an archangel; the name comes from the Latin translation of Isaiah 14:12 (“morning star”). Later tradition described him as a high-ranking fallen angel — see our fallen angel names list.