Los Angeles itself just means 'the angels', as is well known. However, the name has a more complicated history than most people realise.

In 1769 a Spanish Captain, Fernando Moncado, was leading an expedition through California; travelling with the expedition was a Fransiscan priest, Father Juan Crespi. On 2 August they discovered a beautiful river near the coast. 2 August happened to be the date of a feast celebrated by the Fransiscans, celebrated at the chapel of St Francis of Assisi himself. This chapel was located on a small portion of land and contained a picture of the Virgin Mary with attendant angels.

In honour of the day, they named the river 'Our Lady of the Angels of the Little Portion'. Later when a settlement was founded, it was first called 'The Settlement of the Queen of the Angels of the Little Portion' and this gradually became just 'The Angels' or 'Los Angeles'.