The name Evelyn also is considered to come from combining the names Eve and Lynn, which mean life or mother of life and lake. Taken together, the name Evelyn has come to mean desired child, island in the water, life, little bird, strength. and wished for.
How Popular Is the Name Evelyn?
Evelyn was a popular name for girls in America in the early 20th century, remaining in the top 20 from 1907 to 1930, peaking during this run in the year 1915 at No. 10. It was less popular for almost an entire century and did not return to the top 20 until the year 2013. It has steadily climbed in the rankings for the past decade, reaching its peak popularity in 2020 when it ranked as the No. 9 name for girls in the U.S. Although the name Evelyn is more typically used as a girl’s name, it also has been used as a boy’s name, and there have been notable men named Evelyn. Moreover, it can be used any way you see fit, as sex doesn’t have to be a part of your name selection process.
Name Variations
There are a plethora of variations for the name Evelyn:
AvelinaAvelineEvalineEvalynEveleenEvelienEvelinEvelinaEvelineEvelyneEvelynnEwaline
Evelyn can also be shortened to Ev, Evie, or Evy.
Similar Names
The name Evelyn is one of many English names with the -lyn suffix, such as Ashlyn, Carolyn, Jocelyn, Kaitlyn, or Marilyn. Like Evelyn, these names tend to have many variations in spelling, sometimes ending in -lin, -line, -lynn, or -lynne. Other girl names starting with E:
EdithEleanorElizabethEllenElsaEloiseEmilyEmmaEricaErinEsmereldaEstellaEsther
Other traditional English names:
AliceAnnaBeatriceCatherineClaraGraceHelenMargaretMary
Other names that are unisex or gender-neutral:
AdrianCameronDanaDylanJesseKellyKendallLaneParkerRobin
Suggested Sibling Names
Names that may pair well with Evelyn include:
DanielGeorgeJamesJohnRobertSamuelWilliamDorothyLeahLillianMiriamRebeccaRose
Famous People Named Evelyn
Lots of famous people have dawned the name Evelyn over the years.
Famous Female Evelyns
Evelyn M. Anderson (1899–1985), American physiologist and biochemist known for helping discover adreno-cortical thyroid hormone (ACTH)Evelyn Ashford, American sprinter, an Olympic gold medalistLady Evelyn Leonora Almina Herbert (1901–1980), one of the first people in modern times to enter the tomb of King TutankhamunEvelyn Berezin (1925–2018), American computer designer known for developing the first computer-driven word processorEvelien Gerrits, Dutch cricketerEvelyn Hatch (1871–1951), English muse of Charles Lutwidge DodgsonEvelyn Hart, Canadian ballerinaEvelyn Keyes (1916–2008), American actress known for her role as Suellen O’Hara in the film “Gone with the Wind"Evelyn “Champagne” King, American R&B and disco singerEvelyn Lincoln (1909–1995), personal secretary to President John F. KennedyEvelyn Mase (1922–2004), the first wife of South African President Nelson MandelaEvelyn Nesbit (1884–1967), American model, chorus girl, and actressEvelyn Preer (1896–1932), African American actress and blues singerGwyneth Evelyn “Gwen” Verdon (1925–2000), American actress and dancerEvelyn Wells (1899–1984), American biographer of the ancient Egyptian royalsEvelyn Wood (1909–1995), American educator and advocate of speed reading
Famous Male Evelyns
Evelyn Baring (1841–1917), 1st Earl of Cromer, British statesman and diplomatEvelyn Barker (1894–1983), British Army officer in World War I and IIEvelyn Owen (1915–1949), Australian inventor of the Owen submachine gunEvelyn de Rothschild, British financier and member of the prominent Rothschild familyEvelyn Waugh (1903–1966), English author, best known for satirical novels such as “Decline and Fall,” “A Handful of Dust,” and “Brideshead Revisited”
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