Anela is likely a variant of Angela or Aniela, associated with 'angel' or 'messenger.'
Anela is a Hawaiian name meaning "angel," derived from the Hawaiian phonetic adaptation of the English word, itself tracing back through Old French and Latin — "angelus" — to the Greek "angelos," meaning messenger. In Hawaii, the process of adapting foreign words to fit the phonological rules of the Hawaiian language (which uses only thirteen letters and strongly favors open syllables) transformed "angel" into the melodic three-syllable form Anela. The name is part of a broader tradition of Hawaiianized biblical and Christian names that took root after the arrival of Protestant missionaries in the 1820s, who brought with them not just scripture but an alphabet and a naming culture that blended with indigenous practice.
Anela carries the warm, oceanic quality that characterizes many Hawaiian names — its vowel-rich structure flows naturally in speech, and it fits beautifully alongside traditional names from the Hawaiian lexicon. In Hawai'i, it is used for both boys and girls, though in mainland American usage it skews strongly feminine. The name sits within a rich Hawaiian linguistic tradition where names are understood as living things, carrying meaning and mana (spiritual power) that connect a child to family, place, and ancestry.
Beyond Hawai'i, Anela has attracted attention from parents across the United States and Europe who are drawn to its angelic meaning packaged in an unfamiliar, musical form. It offers the warmth and universality of angel-derived names — Angela, Angelina, Angelica — while sounding entirely distinct. In an era when parents increasingly seek names that are meaningful yet surprising, Anela accomplishes both with notable grace.