Eve

♀ Girl

Pronounced EEV /iːv/High

Meaning: From Hebrew Chavah (Havva), derived from the root chava meaning 'to breathe' or 'to live'; the Bible itself explains the name as meaning 'mother of all living' (Genesis 3:20)High

In 30 seconds: Eve is one of the oldest and most resonant names in human culture — the first woman in the Abrahamic tradition, meaning 'life' and 'living.' Spare and powerful in one syllable.

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Origin HighHebrew

MeaningFrom Hebrew Chavah (Havva), derived from the root chava meaning 'to breathe' or 'to live'; the Bible itself explains the name as meaning 'mother of all living' (Genesis 3:20)

U.S. rank (2025)#519 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births577 girls (0.03% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2017

Total births (all-time)≈ 29,503

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Eve is the Anglicized form of the Hebrew Chavah, meaning 'to breathe' or 'to live.' According to Genesis, she was the first woman, created from Adam's rib, and named as 'the mother of all living.' The name traveled through Latin as Eva and into English as Eve, making it one of the most ancient personal names still in common use.

Eve has been used continuously throughout the Christian era and remains a timeless classic. It sat slightly in the shadow of the more popular Eva and Evelyn through most of the 20th century but has gained renewed attention as a standalone one-syllable classic. Its brevity and biblical depth make it compelling for modern parents.

Did you know? In the Bible, Adam names his wife Eve because she is 'the mother of all living' (Genesis 3:20). In the Quran she is called Hawwa, and in Islamic tradition she and Adam descended to Earth together — a more equal treatment than in some other traditions.

Overall data confidence 95%

Behind the Name — Eve — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

EvaAvaEvieEvelyn

Nicknames

Evie

Famous Bearers

★Eve (biblical figure) (biblical)
First woman in the Book of Genesis; called 'the mother of all living.'
★Eve (rapper) (1978–present)
American rapper and actress known for her Grammy-winning music in the early 2000s.

If you like Eve…

Eva— the Latin form of the same biblical name, sharing identical meaning

Ada— one-syllable classic with the same spare elegance and vintage feel

Nora— short classic girls' name with the same quiet, literary strength

June— one-syllable classic with the same timeless, unfussy appeal

Frequently Asked

What does the name Eve mean?

Eve comes from Hebrew Chavah meaning 'to breathe' or 'to live.' In Genesis, Adam calls her Eve because she is 'the mother of all living.'

How do you pronounce Eve?

It is said EEV — one syllable, rhyming with 'leave.'

Is Eve a boy or girl name?

Eve is used exclusively as a girls' name.

How popular is Eve?

Eve is a timeless classic that consistently charts in the top 300–400 girls' names in the U.S.