Evelyn
EEV-lin; EV-uh-lin
English
"desired; or water, island"Share
Copy link
Evelyn Origin and Meaning
The name Evelyn is a boy's name of English origin meaning "desired; or water, island".
Renowned English author Evelyn Waugh pronounced his name "EEV-lin" (fun fact: his first wife, also named Evelyn, was referred to as "She-velyn"). But "EV-uh-lin" also works, and is probably the most familiar pronunciation of the name today.
It may be a Top 10 pick for girls right now, but in the 17th century, it was given more often to boys – as a surname name originally derived from the Norman given name Aveline. It was especially popular among the upper classes, where family surnames as given names were well used.
Evelyn relates to the Norman French female name Aveline, the origins of which are not entirely clear. Theories include "desired" and "water, island".
- Evelyn Rank in US Top 1000
- Evelyn Rank in Nameberry Top 1000
- Names Similar to Evelyn
- Famous People Named Evelyn
- Evelyn in Pop Culture
- Evelyn in Nameberry Blog Posts
# in the US
Evelyn Rank in US Top 1000
# 1489 on Nameberry
Evelyn Rank in Nameberry Top 1000
Evelyn Popularity
- 1489Nameberry2024
20 Names Similar to Evelyn
These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Evelyn.
Famous People Named Evelyn
- (Arthur) Evelyn St. John WaughEnglish novelist
- Evelyn Robert Adrian de RothschildEnglish financier
- Evelyn Leightonson of British author Marie Leighton, brother to poet Roland Leighton and artist Claire Leighton
- Richard Evelyn ByrdAmerican naval officer and explorer
Evelyn in Pop Culture
- Theodore Evelyn "Ted" Mosbycharacter on TV's "How I Met Your Mother"
- Evelyn Napiersuitor of Lady Mary Crawley on TV's "Downton Abbey"
- Crabtree and Evelynretailer of bath and body products
Evelyn in Nameberry Blog Posts
- Twin Names: The Ultimate Guide
- Top Baby Names 2021 Announced!
- Olive or Olivia, Sophie or Sophia?
- Girl Names: Our 100 most popular for 2013 (so far)
- Vintage British Nicknames
- The Most Popular Baby Name Endings of 2022
- Updating Popular 1950s Names
- Old-Fashioned Names Are New Again
- Astrology Names: The Ultimate Guide
- Babyberries: Class of 2023!
- Arbor Day Names: If You Love the Tree but Not the Name
- Popular Twin Names
- Top Baby Names 2023 Announced!
- Sister Names Share Style
- How I Named My Babies: Wesley Clark, Emma Colleen, Leah Evelyn & Nora Elizabeth
- Little Black Dress Names Are Always in Style
- Midsummer Baby Names Dazzle and Delight
- Where to Find A Cool Vintage Girl Name
- Hawaiian Names: The Ultimate Guide
- Unraveling the Origins of Evelyn
- Top Baby Names 2020: The Playground Analysis
- Best E Names for Boys
- Gorgeous Girl Names Starting with E
- Do You *Really* Know What These Names Mean?
- 100 New Names
- 10 Names Going Back to the Boys
- Latest Babyberry Names Are Full of Love
- Vintage Boy Names: How To Find A Cool Old Name
- Top Baby Names 2021: The Playground Analysis
- 150+ English Names
- In Defense of Emma and Ethan: Ten Good Reasons to use a Common Name
- Top Baby Names 2022: The Playground Analysis
- Edwardian Names Ready to Revive
- Transforming Top to Uncommon Girl Names
- What Will Be the Next Liam…and Sophia?
- Cool Girl Names: Charmed Circles
- US vs UK Baby Names: Vive la difference!
- How I Named My Baby: Maudette Eve
- Yes, Millennial Mom Names Can Work for Alpha Era Girls!
- Sibling Names: The Ultimate Guide
- Long Baby Names: The Ultimate Guide
- Top Baby Names 2022 Announced!
- New Irish Names Go Global
- Best New Baby Names in the Top 1000
- Popular Names Your Mom Never Heard Of
- These Are the Top Names of the 2020s So Far
- Children's Books With Names in the Title
- Model Baby Names Set New Styles