What Does the Name Evelyn Mean?
Evelyn is a girl's name of Norman French (English surname) origin meaning “uncertain; possibly 'desired' or 'wished-for child'.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Evelyn |
|---|---|
| Gender | female |
| Origin | Norman French (English surname) |
| Meaning | uncertain; possibly 'desired' or 'wished-for child' |
| Variants | Aveline, Eveline, Evelina, Evie, Eva |
| Popularity | US Top 10 girls' name in the early 2020s, peaking after a century-earlier vogue |
The meaning and origin of Evelyn
The name Evelyn means “uncertain; possibly 'desired' or 'wished-for child'” and has Norman French (English surname) origins. An English surname derived from the medieval feminine name Aveline, a Norman diminutive of Ava, of uncertain meaning. It came into use as a given name from the 17th century onward.
Variants and related names
Evelyn is related to several other names you may recognize: Aveline, Eveline, Evelina, Evie, Eva. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Evelyn?
US Top 10 girls' name in the early 2020s, peaking after a century-earlier vogue
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Evelyn mean?+
The name Evelyn means “uncertain; possibly 'desired' or 'wished-for child'” and is of Norman French (English surname) origin.
What is the origin of the name Evelyn?+
Evelyn originates from Norman French (English surname).
Is Evelyn a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Evelyn has trended in the US over time.
Evelyn by gender
More girl's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press