The Baby Name Wizard

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Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Evelyn!

Comments and insights on the name Evelyn: | Edit

Evelyn Waugh, the (male) English writer, was first married to The Hon. Evelyn Gardner. Since in those days, women took their husband's surnames, they BOTH became Evelyn Waugh. This was very confusing, and eventually their friends referred to them as "He-Evelyn" and "She-Evelyn" in order to distinguish them.

Personal experiences with the name Evelyn: | Edit

Our younger daughter's name is Evelyn, and we have ended up calling her 'Evel' (rhymes with 'devil') as a nickname -- it's what our older daughter called her because she couldn't pronounce Evelyn, and it has stuck. I never would have picked it out myself, but I think it's kind of catchy!

I have an Evelyn too...we chose to Nickname her Evie (pronouced E-V). I had heard it on used like that on two movies (V for Vendetta and The Mummy Returns).

We have a 10 month old Evelyn. We had anticipated calling her EV-EE, but many people get confused and think it's E-V. I've decided to just call her Evelyn... A lot of people ask if it was a family name (no). I think many people still think of it as an old lady name, but it is gaining in popularity so I believe that will change.

My grandmother's name was Sarah Evelyn. I have always thought Evelyn was an incredibly beautiful and elegant name; like my grandmother.

Nicknames for Evelyn: | Edit

Eve, Evie (pronounced EH-vee or E-V), Even (Pronounced Evan)

Elle, Ella, Elsie, Els, Elf

Eve (pronounced the French way, to rhyme with Bev.)

Lily

Meanings and history of the name Evelyn: | Edit

Evelyn is a traditionally unisex name that is today usually used only for girls. It is pronounced with two syllables, EVE-lyn, in England, or EHV-eh-lyn in the United States. The original form was the Norman French female name Aveline, related to the Germanic Ava/Avia, of unknown meaning. In Latin 'avis' meant 'bird' so that has been attached for convenience, as has the French avelline from Latin avellana meaning 'hazelnut'. It has also been used as an Anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic Éibhleann meaning 'radiance' but this is coincidental attachment rather than true origin.

Famous real-life people named Evelyn: | Edit

Evelyn Nesbit, American model and vaudeville personality
Evelyn Keyes, American actress who played Suellen O'Hara, younger sister of Scarlett, in the film "Gone With the Wind".
Evelyn Anthony, English author
Evelyn Ashford, American Olympic gold medalist in the 100 meter sprint, 1984
Evelyn "Champagne" King, American R&B and disco singer
Evelyn Underhill, English writer and mystic
Evelyn Lear, American opera singer
Dame Evelyn Elizabeth Ann Glennie, a Scottish virtuoso percussionist (despite being deaf since the age of 12).

Evelyn in song, story & screen: | Edit

Evelyn was the female lead played by Kate Beckinsale in the movie "Pearl Harbor."
Evelyn (Evie) was the female lead played by Natalie Portman in the movie "V for Vendetta."
Evelyn was the female lead played by Rachel Weisz in the movies "The Mummy" and "The Mummy Returns."
Evelyn Salt was the female title character played by Angelina Jolie in the 2010 movie "Salt".
Evelyn was the female character played by Reese Witherspoon in the movie "American Psycho".