Evelyn (name)

Evelyn is a given name in the English language, where it can be used as a first name or a surname.[1]

Evelyn
Pronunciation/ˈɛvʌlɪn/, /ˈiːvlɪn/
GenderUnisex
Origin
Word/namefrom Norman French Aveline
Region of originEnglish language speaking areas, Germany, Estonia,
Other names
Related namesEvelina, Avelina, Aveline

The name originally was used as a surname, which derived from Aveline, a feminine Norman French diminutive of the name Ava.[2] Ava itself is a hypocoristic Germanic name, of uncertain origin.[3]

Evelyn is also sometimes used as an Anglicisation of the Irish Aibhilín or Éibhleann.[4] Aibhilín (variant Eibhlín) is itself derived from the Norman French Aveline. Éibhleann (variant Éibhliu[1]), on the other hand, is said to be derived from the Old Irish óiph ("beauty"[5]).

Variant forms of the feminine first name Evelyn include: Evaline, Evalyn, Eveleen, Evelien, Eveliene, Evelin, Evelina, Eveline, Evelyne, Évelyne, Ewaline and Ewelina. Some of these forms may (also) have arisen as diminutive forms of Eve.[4][6]

People with this first name

Women

Female variants

Eveleen

Evelien

Evelin

Eveline

Evelyne

Men

People with this surname

Fictional characters

References

  1. Hanks, Patrick; Hardcastle, Kate; Hodges, Flavia (2006), "Evelyn", A Dictionary of First Names, Oxford Paperback Reference (2nd ed.), Oxford University Press, p. 347, ISBN 978-0-19-861060-1.
  2. Hanks, Patrick; Hardcastle, Kate; Hodges, Flavia (2006), A Dictionary of First Names, Oxford Paperback Reference (2nd ed.), Oxford University Press, p. 341, ISBN 978-0-19-861060-1. "from the Norman female name Aveline, an elaborated form of >Ava."
  3. Förstemann, Altdeutsches Namenbuch (1847), 190 adduces OHG awa "flowing water" and Gothic awō "grandmother"
  4. Hanks, Patrick; Hardcastle, Kate; Hodges, Flavia (2006), A Dictionary of First Names, Oxford Paperback Reference (2nd ed.), Oxford University Press, pp. 95–96, ISBN 978-0-19-861060-1.
  5. eDIL s.v. oíb: "semblance, appearance, aspect, nature or condition (of things or abstracts)"; "beauty or attractiveness (of appearance, nature or disposition)".
  6. Eveleen at behindthename.com
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