Ucchan/Kiyone the Omnipotent wrote:

It was something close to "Apostle" or "Disciple", but Gainax translated it
to "Angel," just like they did "Neon Genesis" as opposed to Shinseiki
(which, if I have heard correctly, is something close to "New Century..or
something like that, but it isn't 'Neon Genesis' "). In these cases, they
were translated by Gainax, most likely because it sounded better. And
that's all I have to say about that.

Shinseiki Evangelion translates literally to "A New Gospel for the Next Century."  (Puts a new
spin on the meaning of Eva, doesn't it?)  Anyway, the reason that the Japanese version of Eva had
the Angels called such was because the WORD "angel" doesn't exist in the spoken language.  They
would have used angel, if they could have, because if you'll remember, all of the names of the
Angels were names of the ancient Jewish Archangels of legend.

My two cents...
--
Ikari Ayanami Rei-chan.
And so, my children, the time has come to close
the book.  There will be other days and other
stories, but this tale is finished.

    -1991 David Eddings, "The Mallorean"