Evelyn is a name of Old French origin that means ‘wished for child’ and ‘desired one’. Derived from the Germanic name Avelina, the name has a rich historical background and has become a classic and timeless choice reflecting a sense of longing and aspiration.
The name has been used as both a masculine and feminine name throughout history. However, over the years, it has become rare for boys and favored for baby girls.
A combination of the names Eve and Lynn, the name also takes on several other different meanings. Eve signifies ‘life’ as the first woman in the Bible, while Lynn represents ‘water’ or a ‘lake’.
- Name Origin: Old French
- Name Meaning: Wished for, Desired, Life, and Lake
- Pronunciation: Ev – Uh – Lin
- Gender: Female – historically gender neutral
How Popular is the Name Evelyn?
At the beginning of the 20th century, the name was ranked in the top 100 most popular girls’ names. It stayed popular until dropping out of the top 100 in 1954. In 2002, Evelyn crept back into the top 100 at number 98 and has grown in popularity ever since.
According to Social Security Administration Data, the name ranked at number 9 in the years 2020 and 2021, its highest-ever position. In 2021, 9434 baby girls were born and given the name Evelyn.
Name Variations
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
| Avelina | Bird-like / voice / desired | Latin |
| Evaline | Life/animal | Hebrew |
| Eveleen | Life | Hebrew |
| Evelin | Life | Norman |
| Evelina | Water island | Latin |
| Evelien | Little bird | Dutch |
Other French Girl’s Names
| Name | Meaning |
| Aalis | Noble |
| Adelade | Noble kind |
| Alison | Of noble birth |
| Amice | Friend |
| Diot | Flower of Dionysius |
| Edith | Prosperous in war |
| Flieur | Flower |
Alternative Girls Names Starting with ‘E’
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
| Eaden | Place of pleasure | Hebrew |
| Eadie | Strife for wealth | English |
| Eldoris | Gold | Spanish |
| Eleonor | Sun ray | Greek |
| Eleri | Enough | Welsh |
| Eleisa | God’s promise | Hebrew |
| Elektra | Bright / shining / radiant | Greek |
Famous People Named Evelyn
- Evelyn Nesbit – American model, actress, and artist.
- Evelyn Keyes – American actress.
- Evelyn West – American burlesque performer.
- Evelyn Brent – American film and stage actress.
- Evelyn Lozado – American reality TV star.