Evangeline is a beautiful and unique feminine given name of Greek origin. The name comes from the Greek word "euangelion," which means "good news." It is derived from the combining form of "euangelos" meaning "bearer of good tidings," which in turn is composed of the elements "eu" meaning "good" and "angelos" meaning "messenger."
The name Evangeline was popularized by the epic poem "Evangeline: A Tale of Acadie" written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The poem tells the story of a young Acadian woman named Evangeline who is separated from her fiancé during the British expulsion of French settlers from Acadia in the mid-18th century. Despite their separation, Evangeline remains faithful to her love and searches for him throughout her life.
Evangeline has since become associated with strength, resilience, and unwavering devotion, qualities that are reflected in the character of the heroine of Longfellow's poem. However, it is important to note that these associations are not inherent to the name itself but rather stem from its use in literature.
Today, Evangeline remains a relatively rare but highly regarded name, particularly among those who appreciate its unique sound and Greek origins. It is often associated with intelligence, creativity, and independence, reflecting the qualities of its namesake in Longfellow's poem. Ultimately, Evangeline is a powerful and evocative name that carries with it a rich history and cultural significance.
In conclusion, Evangeline is a feminine given name of Greek origin meaning "good news." Popularized by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's epic poem "Evangeline," the name has become associated with strength, resilience, and devotion. Today, it remains a rare but highly regarded name that carries with it a rich history and cultural significance.
The name Evangeline has a fascinating history of usage in the United States, as reflected in these statistics from 1881 to 2023.
In the late 19th century, the name Evangeline was quite rare, with fewer than 15 births per year between 1881 and 1896. However, it began to gain traction in the early 20th century, with a significant increase in popularity around World War I. In 1917, there were 208 births, more than doubling from the previous year's 95 births.
The name continued to rise in popularity throughout the 1920s and 1930s, reaching its peak in 1930 with 279 births. However, it began to decline steadily afterwards, reaching a low point of just 60 births in 1978.
The late 20th century saw another resurgence in the popularity of Evangeline, with numbers hovering around the 50-100 range between 1979 and 1994. The name experienced significant growth from the mid-1990s onwards, culminating in a total of 1407 births in 2023.
Overall, over the span of 142 years, there were a total of 33,002 births of girls named Evangeline in the United States. This demonstrates the enduring appeal of this unique and distinctive name across generations.