About the name Evelyn
The origin of Evelyn is debated, and we couldn't confirm its meaning from a sourced etymology. A commonly cited theory links it to English roots, with the meaning “Wished-for child (from Aveline)”. Treat that as a theory, not a settled fact.
Why we say this: we only state a meaning as fact when a sourced etymology (Wiktionary, with its references) supports it. For Evelyn we didn't find one we were confident in, so we show the popular explanation as a theory.
It has a vintage feel. In 2025, Evelyn ranked #8 for girls in the US, with 9,123 babies given the name. Its peak year since 1940 was 2017. Since 2000, 100% of US babies named Evelyn were girls.
- US rank 2025
- #8
- In 2015
- #15
- Babies in 2025
- 9,123
Popularity of Evelyn, 1940–2025
Latest SSA data: 2025.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration national baby names (public domain; names given to at least 5 babies of one sex per year).
Hello, world
Evelyn
Your last name
born on your big day
7 LB 4 OZ · 20 IN
The Baby Kit
See Evelyn on a birth announcement
Birth announcements, shower invitations, nursery wall art and milestone cards, all personalized with Evelyn. Type your details once and print at home or at any print shop.
Nicknames for Evelyn
- Evie
Names similar to Evelyn
Name meanings marked or linked “Wiktionary” are adapted from Wiktionary by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; each name page links its source entry.