What does the name Evelyn Mean? In this quick guide, we will explore the origin, history, popularity, and meaning of the name Evelyn.
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Meaning of The Name Evelyn
The name Evelyn is a gender-neutral name of English origin, derived from two different names: Aivilon and Aveline. It is derived from the Latin aevum meaning ‘life’, andlynn, an old Germanic surname that refers to a person who lived near a lake or pond.
In the Middle Ages, Evelyn was spelled with two ls – Avelyn – although today’s spelling with one l is much more common. Evelyn has been occasionally used since the 16th century, but had no real popularity until the 19th century when it began to rise in popularity.
Today, it remains one of the most popular names for girls in the United States, Canada and England. Parents who choose this name for their daughter like its strong associations with strong feminine figures such as Eve and Lyn – both of which connote intelligent and courageous women.
As for its meaning? The name Evelyn personifies life itself; curious and full of adventure, someone who’s always ready to learn something new; dependable yet impulsive; and loves being surrounded by friends who bring out the best in them.
History and Origin of The Name Evelyn
The name Evelyn has a long and fascinating history that dates back to the 11th century. According to name historians, Evelyn is derived from two sources: the Latin Avis and the Germanic root Aveline.
The Latin source of Evelyn is believed to refer to a bird-like woman, possibly deriving from avis, meaning “bird,” as well as referring to Eos, the goddess of dawn from Greek mythology. The French origin of the name may have derived from Aveline, an Old Germanic name comprised of avi (bird) and linde (tender).
The masculine form of the name was introduced by a 16th-century English botanist and Anglican dean named John Evelyn. According to monastic records in France, Evelyn is known to have existed as a female given name since at least 1202, when it appears in documents held in Clermont Abbey near Bellay-en-Vexin in Normandy with reference to Hama de Avenelles.
Evelyn made its way over to Britain during the 18th century where it has remained popular ever since. Today it features prominently across various countries including United States, Canada, Scotland, Australia and Ireland – all ranking among some of its most popular usage countries – indicating just how much this timeless classic continues to enjoy global reach and appeal!
Gender of The Name Evelyn
The name Evelyn is a popular girl’s name of English origin. It is thought to have originated as a combination of the names Eva and Eve, with an additional “-lyn” at the end for feminine appeal. This lends to the meaning of the name Evelyn as “life.”
There are several variations of the spelling, including Aveline, Evelina and Eveline, though Evelyn remains the most popular form in English-speaking countries today.
There is also some divergence when it comes to the gender of this name, as it is unisex in some cultures. It has been used in Scotland since at least 1651 as a male first name, although this version is rather uncommon today outside Scotland.
In modern English-speaking cultures such as Australia and the United States, however, it remains largely used for females due to its associations with femininity and life.
Popularity of The Name Evelyn
The name Evelyn was the 97th most popular name for baby girls in the United States in 2020. This marked the first year since 1903, when it was first recorded as a given name, that Evelyn entered the top 100. It surpassed its previous peak of 102nd place in 2018, and is also a much more popular name than its male counterpart, which did not enter the top 200 names in 2020.
Evelyn is part of a larger trend of surnames such as Addison, Emerson, and Logan being given as first names to baby girls throughout the 2020s. The name has English roots and means “wish granted” or “desired”.
Its popularity is partly due to celebrities such as Nick Cannon and Chrissy Teigen choosing it for their children’s names. Moreover, strong ties to literature have kept this timeless name from fading from memory: Evelyn Waugh’s novel Brideshead Revisited has earned literary acclaim since its publication nearly 80 years ago in 1945; moreover, Charles Dickens’ created his famous businesswoman with this very same name for his book Little Dorrit (1855).
The popularity of this classic moniker shows no signs of dropping anytime soon; on the contrary, with new celebrity babies bearing the same monicker appearing nearly each decade since 1930s – Tippi Hedren carried the torch from 1940s – it only keeps climbing higher on names charts.
This timeless classic stands out among other current trendy choices effortlessly; so if you’re looking to give your daughter an evergreen gift that she’ll carry forever – don’t look past this stylish surname-turned-first-name yet again bringing joy into world already filled with diehard fans among both parents and kids alike!
Variations of The Name Evelyn
The name Evelyn has many variants. Along with Evelyn, it is also used in the English speaking world in the forms of Aiveen, Avalyn, Evalina, Evelina, Eveline, Evenlyn, Evilynne, and Evolynn. In regards to foreign language variants of the name Evelyn, some examples include Avital (Hebrew), Éva (Hungarian), Eevi (Finnish), Éibhleann (Gaelic/Irish) and Éibhlið (Old Irish).
In addition to its use an independent name in English speaking countries, variations of the name have been used as pet forms of other names such as Genevieve or even Eve. In Israel specifically both variations and pet forms are widely used such as Evette or Evya.
Famous People Named Evelyn in History
Throughout history, some of the most memorable figures have been named Evelyn. Below is a list of famous people with the name Evelyn:
- Evelyn Waugh – English writer and novelist, best known for his award-winning books Brideshead Revisited and A Handful of Dust.
- Evelyn Roberts – Award-winning British actress and model, famous for her roles in movies such as Closer to Heaven and Jemima Kahane.
- Colonel Evelyn Boyd Granville – One of the pioneering African-American mathematicians who worked on John von Neumann’s team on the first computationally successful project in machine learning at IBM in 1952–54.
- Reverend Evelyn Underhill – Noted British theologian and spiritual writer, active in both World Wars working with troops affected by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Underhill authored several books on Christian Mysticism during her lifetime.
- Evelyn Messinger – Youngest American to climb Mount Everest at just 16 years old in 1995, cracking what had been viewed as an insurmountable—impossible—barrier for a much older climber with far more experience to conquer this daunting feat before her age!
- Evelyn de Havilland — A revered Hollywood Royalty from 1936 until today, this timeless actress was best known for starring in classic films such as Gone With The Wind, The Adventures Of Robin Hood and Dodge City
Pronunciation of The Name Evelyn
The name Evelyn can be pronounced in several different ways, depending on the speaker’s accent and preference. Some of these various pronunciations include Eh-vah-lyn, Eev-lynn or Eev-ah-Lynn.
In the United States and Canada, it is most commonly pronounced “Ehv-lin” or “Eh’-vee-lynn”. The traditional pronunciation is Eevee-Lin.
Numerology of The Name Evelyn
The numerology of the name Evelyn can tell us much about a person’s character, their spiritual inclinations and their destiny. To uncover the hidden vibrations of a name, we look at the numbers of its letters. In the case of Evelyn, we have five letters, with E as the first letter and n as the last:
- E: Numerologically represented by number 5. This is a number that often gives both creative and leadership abilities. People with this number in their name tend to be enterprising and adventurous.
- V: Numerologically represented by number 4. This is a very hardworking, orderly and reliable number that tends to have an eye for detail and will strive for success.
- E: Numerologically represented by number 5 again – see above – but here it carries some additional qualities such as being adaptable, resourceful and open to change.
- L: Numerologically represented by number 3. This is an enthusiastic, joyous and optimistic number which loves freedom and adventure but can sometimes lack direction or focus when left unchecked.
- Y: Numerologically represented by letter 7; this is an internalising energy which loves knowledge and delving into the unknown realms of thought or potentiality – but if left unchecked can lead to isolationism or delusionary escapism from life’s reality checks!
In total then, it’s fair to say that these vibrations can lead someone towards being strong minded, positive buoyant creative entrepreneur who loves discovering new paths in life…fascinating!
Frequently Asked Questions About The Name Evelyn
As with many names, there are lots of questions surrounding the name Evelyn and its meaning. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions and answers:
What Is The Meaning of Evelyn?
The name Evelyn is thought to originate from Old English, with possible meanings including “life”, “light”, and “passion”. Some people also speculate that it could also be from ‘Aveline’meaning little bird.
What Does The Name Evelyn Mean Spiritually?
In spirituality, the name is linked to being nurturing, understanding, thoughtful and kind.
When Was The Name ‘Evelyn’ First Recorded in England?
The first record of this name in use was back in 1205 during medieval times!
What Are Some Variations or Nicknames for Evelyn?
Common variations or nicknames for the name Evelyn can include Evie, Evvie, And Evlynn.
Conclusion
Overall, the name Evelyn is a classic timeless name that allows you to bring your child into a world of imagination, creativity, and knowledge.
It is an old-fashioned name with deep roots in faith and family. Best of all, the name Evelyn is a beautiful blend of sweet and sophisticated meaning no matter the generation your loved one lives in. Whether you are looking for a traditional or unique name for your daughter, the meaning behind Evelyn allows her to be unique and special regardless of her surroundings.
With that being said, if you are looking for a powerful and meaningful name for your daughter that will serve her well no matter what stage in life she lives in then choosing Evelyn may be the perfect choice for your little girl!
Disclaimer:
We DO NOT guarantee the accuracy of any listed name and its meanings. We collected these names with our best efforts. Though if you find any incorrect name or meaning please contact us at info@namesheaven.com