Evelyn
Evelyn is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Desired, hazelnut, or island, derived from the Norman name Aveline.
Origin and history
Evelyn originated as an English surname derived from the Norman French name Aveline. While historically used as a traditional male name in Great Britain and early America, it shifted to predominant female usage in the mid-20th century. Male usage in the United States remains rare today but has a long historical precedent.
Popularity in the United States
1,906 babies in the United States have been named Evelyn since 1880. It ranks #2942 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1882.
States where it is most popular
- CA (51.1 %)
- NY (32.6 %)
- PA (5.8 %)
- DC (2.6 %)
- MI (2.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 81 |
| 1910-1920 | 218 |
| 1920-1930 | 355 |
| 1930-1940 | 347 |
| 1940-1950 | 173 |
| 1950-1960 | 145 |
| 1960-1970 | 101 |
| 1970-1980 | 57 |
| 1980-1990 | 133 |
| 1990-2000 | 78 |
| 2000-2010 | 70 |
| 2010-2019 | 103 |
| 2020-2029 | 45 |
Famous people named Evelyn
- Evelyn Waugh: author, novelist
- Evelyn Baring: diplomat, administrator
Nicknames
Ev, Evie
Fun facts
- Evelyn was historically common as a masculine given name in England and early America before becoming predominantly feminine.
- It developed from the Norman French personal name Aveline into an English surname before returning to use as a given name.