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 experienced a significant increase in popularity over the past century, with a notable spike starting around the year 2000. Between 1914 and 1968, there were consistently fewer than 25 births each year for this name. However, beginning in 1972, the number of annual births with the name Evelynn started to gradually increase, reaching over 300 births per year by 2016.
The highest point in popularity occurred in 2018 and 2019, with 1030 and 943 births respectively. Since then, there has been a slight decline, but the name remains very popular, with over 900 births each year from 2020 to 2023.
Overall, since 1914 until 2023, there have been a total of 14,026 births recorded for the name Evelynn.