Evangeline

[girlsteve.livejournal.com]

What do you guys think of the name Evangeline? Does the religious connotaction immediately smack you in the face? And would you consider that to be either a good or a bad thing?

I'm beginning to really like it, especially with the nn Evie. I also like the meaning 'bringer of good news'. But it's rather a new addition to my list, so I'm still trying to decide what I think.

Also, The site I checked listed it's origin as English - is that correct, does anyone know? Just curious, because it surprised me.

Comments

[sharon20lostie.livejournal.com]

I wasn't aware of the name till Lost.

I think its a very beautiful name, and sounds lovely to say. There are religious connotations but you could say the same about 'Mary' and people still use that.

[tryyingtoevolve.livejournal.com]

I HATE it. And yes, the religious thing is too much.

If you like Evie, go with Evelyn. It's much much nicer.

[tunknut.livejournal.com]

I dislike both Evangeline and Evie. Evangeline because it's two letters away from Evangelist and Evie because it's one letter away from Evil... so yeah, I guess the religion thing immediately smacks me in the face. Also, the nickname Evie seems a little childish to me. I'd hate to see a grown-up stuck with a choice between Evie, Evangeline (which besides the whole religious connotation is sort of a mouthful), and Eve, which I actually think is an OK name but has strong, somewhat negative biblical connotations. Also, you know the name's meaning, but most people will see the name and think "oh, her parents must be evangelicals" - not to get into any theological disputes or anything, but I think it's kind of trashy to give a name that so transparently points to your religious beliefs, and weird to give a name that so clearly alludes to a belief system you do not have.

I think Emmeline would be a cool alternative, because it has that same old-fashioned vibe, although it is rather similar to Emily/Emma which are super-popular.

[sharon20lostie.livejournal.com]

I can see emmeline being a breakthrough name. People might get turned off emma/emily because they are so popular, and emmeline is a nice alternative.

[azelmaroark.livejournal.com]

Don't like it. If I didn't know anything about the family, I'd assume they were evangelical fundamentalists. Evangeline is something I'd avoid unless the connotations don't bother you.

I like Evie as a nickname, and I like Eva or Evelyn as full names for that.

[home-to-me.livejournal.com]

I think it's really pretty. My SIL had considered it for my second niece, but changed her mind because of "Lost," since my other niece is Lily, lol

[moldycelery.livejournal.com]

It's all right. It reminds me of the poem by Longfellow ("This is the forest primeval" and all that rot), and not of the Evangelicals, mainly because the name has no connection to them, besides routed in the same Greek words.

[duckduckcaboose.livejournal.com]

I like it. One of my best friends is named Evan, so I have toyed with the idea of using it as a tribute to him. However, I do think other people tend to consider it a religious name, so I might use Evaline instead.

[ollivander.livejournal.com]

Very pretty. I immediately think of Evangeline Lilly, who is absolutely gorgeous (though slightly annoying), but I don't think that's a bad thing at all.

[seksimaggie.livejournal.com]

I agree times a thousand.

[ladyincendiary.livejournal.com]

I like the name Evangeline; of course, it might be because one of my friends is named that (she goes by Lia though).

[zodiacstargazer.livejournal.com]

I immediately think of Neon Genesis Evangelion and THEN of television evangelists. Both aren't really nice connotations, I think--the majour character of NGE is a psychologically messed up wimp (to put it very, very nicely) and well, television evangelists. :/

I like Emmaline, though, or maybe Evelyn.

[mrandmrschippy.livejournal.com]

Slightly reminds me of Vaseline.

[girlsteve.livejournal.com]

oooh, I like Evaline. I think I like that rather more...

[duckduckcaboose.livejournal.com]

Yeah, usually I am not a fan of the "creative" names, but I hate the spelling of Evelyn. Plus Evaline is closer to Evan.

[my-little-voice.livejournal.com]

love it. Didn't realize the religious connotation, so that doesn't really bother me.

[blue-suspenders.livejournal.com]

Its ok to me. It feels like a bit of a mouthful.

[biancasablancas.livejournal.com]

I'm the opposite - I love the name Evangeline and I had no idea about the Lost connotations until your comment!

[girlsteve.livejournal.com]

It doesn't strike me as 'creative' at all. Nice straight forward spelling of a very classy sounding name. Unusual, but not out there - 5 stars from me :)

[girlsteve.livejournal.com]

Yeah, Greek sounds a darn sight more likely.

Congrats on the baby girl, I think her name will be lovely.

[bluekoala.livejournal.com]

I haaate the name Evangeline.

[moobiewons.livejournal.com]

I think Evangeline is a really pretty name. I guess I can see why some people wouldn't like it, Evangeline/Evangelist and etc.... but that certainly wasn't what I personally immediately thought of. I think it's lovely and I think the nickname Evie is ok, a bit cutesy for me, but ok.

[shortbutfast.livejournal.com]

i like it but do think many would link it to religion so... i don't know.

[perfectcherry.livejournal.com]

http://www.amazon.com/Evangeline-Henry-Wadsworth-Longfellow/dp/1565544749

[perfectcherry.livejournal.com]

I'm glad someone else thought of Longfellow!

[wowthatisminty.livejournal.com]

I actually met a baby named Evangeline yesterday; she was possibly the most precious thing ever (until I met another baby named Elah who was even cuter!)

[laminy.livejournal.com]

I am obviously an idiot because I don't get the religious connotation. So no, it's definitly not smacking me in the face. It's not common around here, but it's very, very well-known. Companies, buildings, schools are all named after it. It's because we have a statue of Evangeline. So it has a different connotation here. I like it for that.

[lustdumpster.livejournal.com]

i love it, it's one of my favorites. the first thought i had when i heard it was like the whole religious thing but that doesn't bother me at all, really.

[alexandria-skye.livejournal.com]

it's pretty, just not my style. reminds me of the LOST actress. i don't think it's an extreme religious connotation.

[charlotteattack.livejournal.com]

I love the name Evangeline! I do think of "Evangelists" when I hear the name... but I would still use it! :)

[krosp.livejournal.com]

I think it's really pretty, but I don't like it personally because I prefer shorter names. Otherwise I would like it a lot more. It does have a religious connotation -- at least, it should even if people don't notice it, because as far as I know, that is the reason the name even exists. Like, it's the same word as evangel- (ist, ic, ical, etc) which means "good news" referring to the Christian gospel. So in my opinion it's a religious name whether it's meant to be or not. But, then again, many names have a religious meaning.. like most common Hebrew names we always use like Daniel or Michael or whatever... just that this one also sounds like a word used in English as well.

Personally I think it's a pretty name and you should use it if you don't mind the religious meaning, because it is similar to other names like Eve and Angela etc, which are nice and acceptable names too.