Evelyn is a feminine given name of English origin, derived from the Old French name Aélueva, which in turn is believed to be a variant of the German name Aevaland. The meaning of Evelyn is "life" or "living," and it has been associated with notions of vitality and vigor throughout its history.
The name Evelyn first appeared in England during the Middle Ages, as a female form of the male name Eileen. It was popular among the nobility at this time, and several members of royal families bore this name. For example, Princess Evelyn of Bavaria was born in 1890, while Queen Evelyn of Denmark reigned from 1863 to 1905.
In the United States, Evelyn began to gain popularity during the late 19th century, particularly among immigrants from Scotland and Ireland who brought with them their traditional naming practices. The name reached its peak popularity in America during the 1920s and 1930s, when it consistently ranked among the top ten most popular girl names each year.
Today, Evelyn continues to be a beloved choice for parents seeking a classic yet distinctive name for their daughters. Its timeless meaning and elegant sound make it an appealing option across cultures and generations. Some notable figures who have borne this name include American actress Evelyn Keyes (1916-2008), British novelist Evelyn Waugh (1903-1966), and Australian swimming champion Evelyn Woodhouse (1879-1955).
The name Evelyn has a rich history of popularity in the United States, with its usage varying over time as reflected in the birth statistics provided.
In the early 1900s, Evelyn was quite popular, with an average of about 7-10 births per year between 1905 and 1912. The name peaked in popularity during the late 1920s, with over 40 births each year from 1926 to 1930. This period saw Evelyn's highest popularity, with a total of 187 births in those five years alone.
However, like many names, Evelyn's popularity began to decline after the 1930s. From the 1940s onwards, there were fewer than 25 Evelyn births per year, until it reached its lowest point in the early 1960s with only 6-9 births annually.
Despite this decrease in popularity, Evelyn has maintained a steady presence among baby girls' names throughout the latter half of the century. Since the 1980s, there have been around 9-21 Evelyn births each year, showing that while it may not be as popular as it once was, the name continues to be chosen for newborn daughters.
In recent years, Evelyn has seen a resurgence in popularity, with more than 10 births per year from 2015 onwards. This trend suggests that Evelyn is currently enjoying renewed interest and could potentially become popular again among American parents.
Overall, while Evelyn's popularity has ebbed and flowed over the past century, it remains a classic and timeless name choice for baby girls in the United States.