Evelyn (name)

For other uses, see Evelyn.
Evelyn
Pronunciation/ˈɛvəlɪn, ˈiːvlɪn/ EV-ə-lin, EEV-lin
GenderUnisex
Origin
Word/nameNorman French Aveline
Region of originEnglish-speaking areas, Germany, Estonia
Other names
Variant form(s)Eveline, Evelyne, Eveleen, Evelin, Evelien

Evelyn is a matronymic English surname derived from the medieval girl's name Aveline (which is of Norman origin and represents a diminutive form of Ava).[1] Since the 17th century, it has also been used as a given name. The earliest recorded bearer was Evelyn Pierrepoint (d. 1726), who was a grandson of the Roundhead politician Sir John Evelyn.[2] It is still occasionally used as a boy's name, but is now more often given to girls.[1]

In some cases, the given name may represent an anglicized form of the Irish names Aibhilín and Éibhleann.[1] The former is also a descendant of Aveline,[3] while the latter is said to derive from the Old Irish óiph ("beauty, radiance").[4][5]

  1. ^ a b c Hanks, Patrick; Hardcastle, Kate; Hodges, Flavia (2006). "Evelyn". A Dictionary of First Names (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-861060-1.
  2. ^ Withycombe, E. G. (1977). The Oxford Dictionary of English Christian Names (3rd ed.). Oxford: Clarendon Press. p. 113. ISBN 0-19-869124-6.
  3. ^ Hanks, Patrick; Hardcastle, Kate; Hodges, Flavia (2006). "Eibhlín". A Dictionary of First Names (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-861060-1.
  4. ^ Hanks, Patrick; Hardcastle, Kate; Hodges, Flavia (2006). "Éibhleann". A Dictionary of First Names (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-861060-1.
  5. ^ "oíb". Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language. Retrieved 29 September 2024.