Angus

Meaning of Angus

Angus, the Anglicized form of the Old Gaelic Aonghus or Aonghas, unites the elements aon, meaning “one” or “unique,” and gus, denoting “strength” or “choice,” and thus conveys the notion of singular vigor; in early Celtic mythology the name is immortalized by the youthful god of love and poetry, Aengus Óg, while medieval Scottish annals record several Pictish and Dalriadan kings who further anchored the appellation in the historical imagination. In later centuries the cult of Saint Angus lent the name ecclesiastical gravitas, whereas modern popular culture, through the internationally recognized Aberdeen-Angus cattle breed and figures such as guitarist Angus Young, has layered the traditional resonance with associations of earthy resilience and creative energy. Although its usage in the United States has never ascended beyond the lower reaches of the national top-1000—remaining, for example, in the 800s during the past decade—the enduring, if modest, presence reflected in Social Security data suggests a stable niche appeal among parents who favor venerable Celtic heritage over transient trends.