Meaning of the Name Evelyn: A Family Name With Old Roots
The voice of Jesus from our film series.
Where the name comes from
Evelyn began as a surname (from a Norman French family) and only later became a first name, first for boys and then predominantly for girls in the 20th century. The Norman form Aveline was likely a Germanic name meaning "desired" or "hazelnut"; the modern spelling was influenced by Eve.
Evelyn in the Bible
No Evelyn in the Bible. If the name shares an old root with Eve (from Hebrew Ḥawwāh, "life"), then the sound of it points quietly to the woman whose name means "mother of all living" (Genesis 3:20).
A blessing for Evelyn
Evelyn, may your name be a small window to the older name behind it - life. May you be the mother, aunt, or friend who gives the ones around you space to live.