Girl nameCurrently #8 in the USSteady
Evelyn
EV-uh-lin//ˈɛvəlɪn//
3 syllablesPeak year: 19216 lettersStarts with E
Meaning & origin
Wished-for child, or hazelnut
Evelyn began as an English surname derived from the Norman name Aveline, and its exact meaning is uncertain, though it has often been folk-associated with 'wished-for child'. Originally used for boys as well as girls, it has become firmly a girls' classic in modern usage, prized for pairing an old-fashioned feel with a soft, musical sound.
Evelyn's popularity over time
| Year | Births named Evelyn |
|---|---|
| 1880 | 122 |
| 1881 | 116 |
| 1882 | 125 |
| 1883 | 139 |
| 1884 | 170 |
| 1885 | 191 |
| 1886 | 203 |
| 1887 | 194 |
| 1888 | 237 |
| 1889 | 320 |
| 1890 | 316 |
| 1891 | 362 |
| 1892 | 418 |
| 1893 | 457 |
| 1894 | 491 |
| 1895 | 630 |
| 1896 | 646 |
| 1897 | 690 |
| 1898 | 836 |
| 1899 | 802 |
| 1900 | 1,123 |
| 1901 | 971 |
| 1902 | 1,156 |
| 1903 | 1,219 |
| 1904 | 1,379 |
| 1905 | 1,671 |
| 1906 | 2,087 |
| 1907 | 3,047 |
| 1908 | 2,866 |
| 1909 | 3,165 |
| 1910 | 3,791 |
| 1911 | 4,087 |
| 1912 | 5,638 |
| 1913 | 6,702 |
| 1914 | 8,525 |
| 1915 | 11,619 |
| 1916 | 11,915 |
| 1917 | 12,561 |
| 1918 | 13,524 |
| 1919 | 13,348 |
| 1920 | 13,862 |
| 1921 | 14,308 |
| 1922 | 13,350 |
| 1923 | 13,212 |
| 1924 | 13,397 |
| 1925 | 12,541 |
| 1926 | 11,820 |
| 1927 | 11,532 |
| 1928 | 10,574 |
| 1929 | 9,925 |
| 1930 | 9,586 |
| 1931 | 8,530 |
| 1932 | 7,999 |
| 1933 | 6,971 |
| 1934 | 7,018 |
| 1935 | 6,591 |
| 1936 | 6,139 |
| 1937 | 5,794 |
| 1938 | 5,711 |
| 1939 | 5,371 |
| 1940 | 5,006 |
| 1941 | 4,952 |
| 1942 | 4,959 |
| 1943 | 4,927 |
| 1944 | 4,532 |
| 1945 | 4,390 |
| 1946 | 4,911 |
| 1947 | 5,255 |
| 1948 | 4,854 |
| 1949 | 4,545 |
| 1950 | 4,285 |
| 1951 | 4,246 |
| 1952 | 4,168 |
| 1953 | 4,076 |
| 1954 | 3,965 |
| 1955 | 3,823 |
| 1956 | 3,766 |
| 1957 | 3,651 |
| 1958 | 3,291 |
| 1959 | 3,285 |
| 1960 | 3,227 |
| 1961 | 2,959 |
| 1962 | 2,789 |
| 1963 | 2,580 |
| 1964 | 2,393 |
| 1965 | 2,009 |
| 1966 | 1,881 |
| 1967 | 1,732 |
| 1968 | 1,651 |
| 1969 | 1,461 |
| 1970 | 1,475 |
| 1971 | 1,309 |
| 1972 | 1,069 |
| 1973 | 1,024 |
| 1974 | 951 |
| 1975 | 873 |
| 1976 | 827 |
| 1977 | 832 |
| 1978 | 820 |
| 1979 | 852 |
| 1980 | 869 |
| 1981 | 1,041 |
| 1982 | 1,394 |
| 1983 | 1,152 |
| 1984 | 1,061 |
| 1985 | 1,145 |
| 1986 | 1,090 |
| 1987 | 1,028 |
| 1988 | 1,139 |
| 1989 | 1,190 |
| 1990 | 1,316 |
| 1991 | 1,278 |
| 1992 | 1,432 |
| 1993 | 1,353 |
| 1994 | 1,461 |
| 1995 | 1,517 |
| 1996 | 1,605 |
| 1997 | 1,571 |
| 1998 | 1,707 |
| 1999 | 1,964 |
| 2000 | 2,223 |
| 2001 | 2,698 |
| 2002 | 3,379 |
| 2003 | 3,713 |
| 2004 | 3,774 |
| 2005 | 4,497 |
| 2006 | 4,761 |
| 2007 | 5,060 |
| 2008 | 5,110 |
| 2009 | 5,584 |
| 2010 | 5,851 |
| 2011 | 6,717 |
| 2012 | 6,893 |
| 2013 | 7,682 |
| 2014 | 8,758 |
| 2015 | 9,393 |
| 2016 | 10,124 |
| 2017 | 10,758 |
| 2018 | 10,445 |
| 2019 | 10,447 |
| 2020 | 9,523 |
| 2021 | 9,499 |
| 2022 | 9,336 |
| 2023 | 9,121 |
| 2024 | 9,122 |
Evelyn through the decades
- Evelyn peaked in 1921, when 14,308 babies were named Evelyn in the US.
- Over the last 10 years of data (2015–2024), use of Evelyn has risen 61% compared to the 10 years before that.
- Evelyn currently ranks #8 in the US and is holding steady.
Nicknames
EvieEveLyn
Variants & spellings
EvelinaAveline
Famous people named Evelyn
- Evelyn Waugh — novelist (male bearer, historic usage)