On September 4, 1781, a group of 44 settlers known as “Los Pobladores” founded the pueblo (town) that would later become Los Angeles. They named it “El Pueblo de la Reina de Los Angeles,” which translates to “The Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels.”

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Los Angeles was named by Spanish settlers in 1781, inspired by the original name El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles, which translates to ‘The Town of Our Lady Queen of the Angels.’ The long name was eventually shortened to Los Angeles over time.

The name Los Angeles is Spanish for “The Angels.” The word “los” is the plural form of “el,” which means “the,” and “ángeles” translates to “angels.” This name reflects the city’s strong connection to its Spanish colonial roots.

The city is known by its initials, L.A., and by its nickname, the City of Angels, derived from the Spanish translation of Los Angeles. The official name of the city, City of Los Angeles, has remained unchanged since 1850. However, there is much debate over how the city obtained its name.

The official name, City of Los Angeles has been the city’s official name since at least it became an American city in 1850. On Wednesday, August 2, 1769, Father Juan Crespi, a Franciscan priest accompanying the first European land expedition through California, described in his journal a "beautiful river from the northwest" located at "34 ...