Pronunciation | /ˈɛvəlɪn,ˈiːvlɪn/ EV-ə-lin, EEV-lin |
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Gender | Unisex |
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]
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]
Eveleen
Evelien
Evelin
Eveline
Evelyne