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Evelyn

♀ Girl

Pronounced EV-uh-lin /ˈɛv.ə.lɪn/High

Meaning: Wished-for child; hazelnut; from the Germanic name AvelineMedium

In 30 seconds: A Norman French-origin name meaning 'wished-for child,' possibly related to the word for hazelnut. Once a surname, Evelyn became a beloved given name with an Edwardian charm.
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Origin HighNorman French, Germanic, Hebrew
MeaningWished-for child; hazelnut; from the Germanic name Aveline
Peak year1921
Total births (all-time)≈ 562,951

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192118802017

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

History & Origin

Evelyn derives from the Old French given name Aveline, possibly from a Germanic root meaning 'wished-for' or related to the word for hazelnut (aveline in French still means hazelnut). Brought to England by the Normans, it became an English surname before transitioning to a given name.

Evelyn was used as both a male and female given name in the 19th and early 20th centuries — notably the British writer Evelyn Waugh (1903–1966) was male. In the United States it became predominantly feminine and enjoyed its greatest popularity in the 1910s–20s. It experienced a major revival in the 2010s, returning to the top ten.

Did you know? Evelyn was originally a surname derived from the Norman given name Aveline. The English diarist John Evelyn (1620–1706) helped preserve the name, and it transitioned to a given name in the 19th century.

Variations

EvelyneEvelinaEvalynEveline

Nicknames

EvieEveEvLynn

Famous Bearers

  • ★Evelyn Waugh (1903–1966)
    English novelist, author of Brideshead Revisited — notably male.
  • ★Evelyn Ashford (1957–)
    American sprinter, four-time Olympic gold medalist.

If you like Evelyn…

Eleanor— shares the Edwardian-era classic charm
Emma— fellow short vintage classic with a soft sound
Charlotte— equally refined vintage-revival name
Violet— shares the vintage floral/nature appeal
Hazel— similar vintage feel with natural undertones

Frequently Asked

What does the name Evelyn mean?

Evelyn derives from the Norman French Aveline, meaning 'wished-for child' or possibly linked to the word for hazelnut (aveline in French).

How do you pronounce Evelyn?

Evelyn is said EV-uh-lin /ˈɛv.ə.lɪn/ — three syllables, with stress on the first.

Is Evelyn a boy or girl name?

While historically used for both sexes, Evelyn is now used almost exclusively as a girl's name in the United States.

How popular is Evelyn?

After decades away from the top ranks, Evelyn re-entered the U.S. top ten girls' names around 2017 and has maintained that position.