Evangeline

Evangeline is a female given name of Greek origin, derived from euangelion meaning "good news" or "gospel." The form Evangeline developed through ecclesiastical Latin evangelium and Old French into English usage, where it has remained relatively uncommon but persistent in various regions, especially among English- and French-speaking communities.

In literature, Evangeline is best known as the heroine of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's lyric epic Evangeline, A Tale of Acadie (1847). The poem tells the story of an Acadian young woman who, during the expulsion of the Acadians in the 18th century, is separated from her lover and spends years in search of him. The work helped popularize the name in parts of the United States and in Acadiana, the Louisiana-Hispanic and Francophone cultural region linked to Acadian heritage.

Culturally, the name has left a legacy in Louisiana. Evangeline Parish, created in 1910, was named after Longfellow's poem, reflecting the region’s connection to Acadian history. The Evangeline Oak, a historic live oak in St. Martinville, is associated with the Evangeline legend and the poem’s cultural footprint in Acadiana.

Notable people with the given name include Evangeline Lilly, a Canadian actress known for roles in Lost and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Evangeline Booth, an American Salvation Army officer who served as its General. The name continues to appear in literature, film, and popular culture, often evoking themes of longing, resilience, and cultural memory.

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