The name Evelyn originates from an English surname derived from the given name Aveline. Initially used as a masculine name in the 17th century, it has since become predominantly feminine, likely due to its similarity to names like Eve and Evelina. Evelyn gained widespread popularity in the English-speaking world during the early 20th century and experienced a resurgence in the early 21st century, re-entering the American top ten in 2017.