The story behind Evelyn
From Middle English forms of the Old French female name Aveline, diminutive of the Germanic root *avi-, of uncertain meaning, possibly “desired, wished for“ (compare Latin avēre, "to wish for") or aval “strength”. By folk etymology also misunderstood as a diminutive of the feminine given name Eve, q.v. Doublet of Eileen. Also compare Ava.
Pronunciation
female given name: /ˈɛvəlɪn/
Regional pronunciation variants
- male given name: /ˈiːvlɪn/
Popularity
Evelyn ranked #8 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Evelyn
Alison
From Middle English Alisoun, from Old French Alison, brought to England by the Normans (from Anglo-Norman Alison, from Norman Alison), diminutive of Aliz, equivalent to English…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Allison
From a Middle English diminutive form of Alan, Alexander or Alice + -son. Borrowed from English Allison.
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Allyson
A female given name from the Germanic languages, variant of Alison.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Carolyn
A variant of Caroline with -lyn.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Jocelin
A female given name from the Germanic languages, of modern usage, variant of Jocelyn.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Jocelyn
From the Middle English male given name from Old French Joscelin, German Gautzelin, diminutive of names beginning with the tribal name Gaut (“a Geat, a Goth”), the root form of…
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Evelyn
Ada
Short form of Germanic names beginning with adal (“noble”), such as Adelaide. Also Latinized form of Hebrew Adah. The programming language takes its name from Ada Lovelace. a…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Adalbertas
Learned borrowing from Latin Adalbertus, from Proto-West Germanic *Aþalaberht, from Proto-Germanic *Aþalaberhtaz. Compare German Adalbert and Latvian Adalberts.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 4 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Adel
Ultimately from Proto-Germanic *aþalaz. The female name is a rare variant of Adele. The surname is borrowed from German Adel. Variant of Adil, from Arabic عَادِل (ʕādil).
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Evelyn
Abelard
From French Abélard, an extension of the Abel with an Germanic suffix -(h)ard. Possibly also regarded a variant of the German Eberhard "boar" + "hard", equivalent to English…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends D
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Adel
Ultimately from Proto-Germanic *aþalaz. The female name is a rare variant of Adele. The surname is borrowed from German Adel. Variant of Adil, from Arabic عَادِل (ʕādil).
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Adél
From French Adèle.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length