MEANING OF EVELYN NAME
The name Evelyn has a fascinating history and multiple possible origins
Origin and Meaning of Evelyn
- Evelyn derives from the French feminine given name Aveline, which is from an obscure Germanic root.
- The meaning of Evelyn can be interpreted in two ways:
- “Desired” or “wished for” (from the Germanic root).
- “Water” or “island” (from the same Germanic root).
- The name Aveline was brought to England by the Normans and first became popular as a masculine name, transferred from the surname Evelyn, which also comes from the same source.
- Variations of Evelyn include Evaline, Evalyn, Evelin, and Eveline.
Popularity of Evelyn
- After decades of disuse, the soft and feminine name Evelyn has made a huge comeback.
- It reached the Top 10 for the first time in 2017 and has now surpassed its former heights.
- Evelyn joins a legion of contemporary names like Eva, Ava, Eve, Evie, and Eveline.
- Despite its resurgence, Evelyn had not been in the Top 40 since 1939 until less than a decade ago.
- Its most famous bearer is the writer Evelyn (EEV-lin) Waugh.
- Interestingly, Evelyn Waugh was married to a woman named Evelyn, and they were known as “He-velyn” and “She-velyn.”
- The character Evelyn Salt, played by Angelina Jolie, also contributed to the name’s popularity.
- Celebrities like Bruce Willis and Carey Mulligan have chosen Evelyn for their daughters.
