Evelyn is a feminine given name of English origin. It is derived from the Old English name Ælfnþiu, which was composed of two elements: ælf, meaning "elf", and niu, meaning "new". Thus, Evelyn means "elf new" or "noble new".
The name Evelyn has been popular throughout history, with notable bearers including Evelyn Waugh, a renowned English novelist and essayist, and Evelyn de Morgan, a prominent British ceramic artist. However, its peak popularity was during the late 19th to early 20th century.
Evelyn is also associated with several significant historical figures. Saint Evelyn (also known as Ælfwynn) was an Anglo-Saxon princess who lived in the 10th century. She is revered as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church for her piety and virtue. Additionally, Evelyn Nash was one of the first female police officers in the United States, serving in the early 20th century.
In literature, Evelyn appears in works such as "The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexandre Dumas, where she is a character named Valentine de Villefort, who later adopts the name Evelyn. In more recent times, Evelyn Carnahan (played by Rachel Weisz) is a prominent character in the 1999 film "The Mummy".
The name Evelyn has also been used as a surname, particularly among families of English descent. Notable individuals with the surname Evelyn include John Evelyn, an English diarist and gardener, and David Evelyn, an American actor.
Overall, Evelyn is a name with a rich history and meaningful origin, making it a popular choice for parents looking for a classic yet distinctive name for their daughter.
The name Evelyn has been popular among parents in the United States for over a century, with its popularity fluctuating over time. According to statistical data from the Social Security Administration, the number of newborn girls named Evelyn varied annually.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the name Evelyn was relatively uncommon, with fewer than 500 births per year between 1880 and 1906. However, its popularity began to grow around the turn of the century, with over 2,000 births each year between 1907 and 1914.
The name Evelyn reached its peak in popularity during the 1910s and 1920s, with over 10,000 births per year between 1915 and 1926. This period saw a significant increase in the number of newborn girls named Evelyn compared to previous decades.
After reaching its peak in popularity during the mid-20th century, the name Evelyn began to decline in popularity among parents in the United States. Between 1950 and 1970, the number of newborn girls named Evelyn decreased significantly, with fewer than 1,000 births per year recorded.
Despite its decline in popularity during the late 20th century, the name Evelyn remained relatively common among newborn girls in the United States. Between 1980 and 2000, there were over 500 births per year on average.
In recent years, the name Evelyn has seen a resurgence in popularity among parents in the United States. Since 2000, the number of newborn girls named Evelyn has increased significantly, with over 10,000 births recorded each year between 2000 and 2022.
Overall, the name Evelyn has been popular among parents in the United States for over a century, with its popularity fluctuating over time. Despite periods of decline in popularity, Evelyn remains a widely-used name for newborn girls in the United States today.