Evelyn (name)

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). 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. It is still occasionally used as a boy's name, but is now more often given to girls.

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