Evelyn
Evelyn is a girls' name of English origin meaning “wished for child, life.” It ranked #8 in the United States in 2025. Evelyn began as a surname and was used for boys before becoming predominantly feminine.
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how do you pronounce Evelyn?
EV-eh-lin
where does the name Evelyn come from?
From the Norman French Aveline, a diminutive of Ava, which reached England after the Conquest and later hardened into a surname. The modern given name is a return journey: the surname was revived as a first name, so Evelyn is a name that became a surname and then became a name again.
It has been remarkably stable in the top 10 since 2017, embodying the vintage charm that modern parents adore.
how popular is this name?
Evelyn has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 146 years since 1880. It peaked at #8 in 2024, and ranked #8 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #8 |
| 2024 | #8 |
| 2023 | #9 |
| 2022 | #9 |
| 2021 | #9 |
| 2020 | #9 |
| 2019 | #10 |
| 2018 | #10 |
| 2017 | #9 |
| 2016 | #12 |
| 2010 | #39 |
| 2000 | #150 |
| 1990 | #220 |
| 1980 | #288 |
| 1970 | #216 |
| 1960 | #137 |
| 1950 | #86 |
| 1940 | #48 |
| 1930 | #19 |
| 1920 | #12 |
| 1910 | #17 |
| 1900 | #70 |
| 1890 | #125 |
| 1880 | #133 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Evelyn fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Evelyn
For most of its life Evelyn was masculine in Britain — the diarist John Evelyn, and the novelist Evelyn Waugh, whose first wife was also called Evelyn. The feminine use overtook it in the United States during the early twentieth century, and after a long dormancy the name returned emphatically, entering the American top ten in the 2010s.
who are famous people named Evelyn?
- Evelyn Waugh (English novelist)
- Evelyn Hugo (The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo)
- Evelyn Glennie (Scottish percussionist)
what are the nicknames and variants of Evelyn?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Evelyn?
what names go well with Evelyn?
Sibling names that share Evelyn's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Evelyn
What does the name Evelyn mean?
Evelyn means “wished for child, life”.
What is the origin of the name Evelyn?
Evelyn comes from the English naming tradition. Related forms include Eveline, Aveline and Evelina.
How popular is the name Evelyn?
Evelyn ranked #8 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2024, at #8, and it has spent 146 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Evelyn a boy or girl name?
Evelyn is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Evelyn?
Evelyn is pronounced EV-eh-lin, with 3 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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