Evelynn is a charming and unique given name of English origin. It is derived from the medieval English name Eileen, which was used as a diminutive form of the name Aelfgifu. The name Aelfgifu itself is of Old English origin, composed of two elements: "ælf" meaning elf or noble, and "gifu" meaning gift.
The meaning behind Evelynn can therefore be interpreted as "noble gift." This interpretation highlights the elegance and sophistication associated with this name. It has been popular throughout history, with notable figures such as Evelyn Nesbit (an American chorus girl and artist's model) and Evelyn Waugh (a British writer and author of "Brideshead Revisited") contributing to its enduring appeal.
Evelynn is not just a name from the past but continues to be used today. It offers parents an opportunity to choose a classic yet distinctive name for their child. While it may not be as common as some other names, Evelynn's unique sound and meaningful origins make it stand out among other English given names.
The name Evelynn has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past century in the United States. According to available statistics, there were only 11 births with this name in both 1914 and 1915. However, by 1923, the number of babies named Evelynn had risen to 29.
The trend continued to fluctuate throughout the early to mid-20th century, with the highest numbers of Evelynn births occurring during World War II years (1942-1945). In these four years alone, there were a combined total of 80 Evelynn births, which is significantly higher than the preceding and following decades.
However, it was not until the late 1990s that Evelynn began to see a substantial and consistent increase in popularity. From 1997 onwards, the number of babies named Evelynn has continually risen, reaching an all-time high of 1030 births in 2019.
As of 2022, there have been a total of 14026 Evelynn births in the United States since records began. This demonstrates that while Evelynn may not have always been one of the most popular names, it has consistently maintained a presence in American naming trends over the past century.