Evelyn (name)

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Evelyn
Pronunciation /ˈɛvəlɪn,ˈvlɪn/ EV-ə-lin, EEV-lin
GenderUnisex
Origin
Word/name Norman French Aveline
Region of origin English-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]

Contents

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]

People with this first name

Women

Female variants

Eveleen

Evelien

Evelin

Eveline

Evelyne

Men

People with this surname

Fictional characters

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References

  1. 1 2 3 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.