Angelica is a Latin name meaning "angelic" or "of the angels," but for most people under 40, the dominant reference is Angelica Pickles from Rugrats, the imperious, spoiled, endlessly entertaining older child who terrorized the babies with considerable skill. For a female pet with any kind of bossy streak, the Rugrats reading is almost certainly why this name appears in the registry.
The Rugrats Legacy
Angelica Pickles, voiced by Cheryl Chase, is one of the great comic antagonists of 1990s children's television — manipulative, theatrical, and occasionally revealing a genuine heart under the cruelty. Naming a pet after her is an act of specific affection: the owner sees something of Angelica in the animal and finds it lovable rather than annoying. Usually the animal has earned this assessment.
The Botanical Layer
Angelica is also an herb in the carrot family used in cooking and herbal medicine, which gives the name an unexpected botanical dimension. A female cat with mysterious, slightly medicinal energy might earn it on this reading.
Sound and Breed Fit
Four syllables (an-JEL-ih-ka) make this a longer name to work with in training. Most owners abbreviate to Angel or Angie. Works on confident, assertive female dogs: Dobermans, Boxers, or any dog running the household on her own terms.
The Counter-Reading: The Name Implies Behavior
A sweet, gentle dog named Angelica has owners who are either being ironic or chose the name before the personality emerged. Both are valid.