Evelyn
Old French girl's name meaning “wished-for; desired (uncertain)”
- Gender
- Girl
- Origin
- Old French
- Meaning
- wished-for; desired (uncertain)
- Syllables
- 3
- Letters
- 6
- US rank (2023)
- #9
- Born in 2023
- 9,113
- Peak year
- 2024 (#8)
Meaning & origin
Evelyn comes from the Norman French given name Aveline, a diminutive of a Germanic root of uncertain meaning — possibly 'wished-for' or 'desired'. Once used for both sexes, it is now overwhelmingly a girl's name.
Is Evelyn a French name?
Yes — Evelyn is a French name meaning "wished-for; desired (uncertain)". Evelyn comes from the Norman French given name Aveline, a diminutive of a Germanic root of uncertain meaning — possibly 'wished-for' or 'desired'. Once used for both sexes, it is now overwhelmingly a girl's name.
Popularity
In the latest US data, Evelyn ranked #9 for girls. It has held remarkably steady over the past decade — a dependable classic.
In 2023, 9,113 US girls were given the name Evelyn.
US popularity rank over time
Peaked at #8 in 2024
“Unranked” means Evelyn was outside the US top 1,000 that year.
See more girl names starting with E.
How to spell Evelyn
Evelyn is spelled E-V-E-L-Y-N — 6 letters and 3 syllables.
Nicknames
Evie, Eve, Lyn
Evelyn: frequently asked questions
What does the name Evelyn mean?
Evelyn is a Old French name meaning "wished-for; desired (uncertain)". Evelyn comes from the Norman French given name Aveline, a diminutive of a Germanic root of uncertain meaning — possibly 'wished-for' or 'desired'. Once used for both sexes, it is now overwhelmingly a girl's name.
Where does the name Evelyn come from?
Evelyn is of Old French origin. Evelyn comes from the Norman French given name Aveline, a diminutive of a Germanic root of uncertain meaning — possibly 'wished-for' or 'desired'. Once used for both sexes, it is now overwhelmingly a girl's name.
Is Evelyn a boy or a girl name?
Evelyn is most commonly a girl's name.
How many babies are named Evelyn?
In 2023, 9,113 US girls were given the name Evelyn.
Is Evelyn a popular name, and is it rising or falling?
In the latest US data, Evelyn ranked #9 for girls. It has held remarkably steady over the past decade — a dependable classic.
What are common nicknames for Evelyn?
Common nicknames for Evelyn include Evie, Eve, Lyn.
How do you spell Evelyn?
Evelyn is spelled E-V-E-L-Y-N — 6 letters.
How common is the name Evelyn?
In 2023, 9,113 US girls were given the name Evelyn. In the latest US data, Evelyn ranked #9 for girls. It has held remarkably steady over the past decade — a dependable classic.
Is Evelyn a French name?
Yes — Evelyn is a French name meaning "wished-for; desired (uncertain)". Evelyn comes from the Norman French given name Aveline, a diminutive of a Germanic root of uncertain meaning — possibly 'wished-for' or 'desired'. Once used for both sexes, it is now overwhelmingly a girl's name.
What does Evelyn mean in French?
In French, Evelyn means "wished-for; desired (uncertain)". Evelyn comes from the Norman French given name Aveline, a diminutive of a Germanic root of uncertain meaning — possibly 'wished-for' or 'desired'. Once used for both sexes, it is now overwhelmingly a girl's name.