"the Lord is gracious"
Origin: Hebrew via Welsh
Language: Welsh
Evan
Pronunciation: [ EHV-uhn ]
Does Evan flow with your last name?
A bold Welsh classic breaking gender norms
Welsh
English
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Modern
Strong
Unique
Bold
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Evan
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"young warrior"
Origin: Celtic
Language: Welsh
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The Story of Evan
Evan is the Welsh form of John, derived from the Hebrew Yohanan meaning 'God is gracious.' Long used as a masculine name in Wales, it crossed to girls' naming in the English-speaking world in the late 20th century, joining the trend of traditionally masculine names adopted for girls. The name carries a strong Celtic heritage while feeling fresh and contemporary on a girl.
Evan for girls gained traction in the 2000s-2010s, propelled by the gender-neutral naming movement. Actress Evan Rachel Wood brought significant visibility to the name, making it feel established yet distinctive for girls.
In Wales, Evan remains primarily masculine and is deeply tied to Welsh identity. As a girl's name, it belongs to an American tradition of crossing gender lines, alongside names like Morgan, Riley, and Avery.
Historical Record
Evan first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 4,544 babies have been named Evan in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Evan is past its peak , currently ranked #2,779 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Evan Rachel Wood popularized this name for girls
- Evan is the Welsh equivalent of the Hebrew name John
- The name ranks in the US top 1000 for both boys and girls
Evan in Other Languages
Welsh
Ifan
French
Evan
Spanish
Evan
Portuguese
Evan
Popularity Over Time
#2,779
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1991
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,779
- Total SSA Count
- 61
- Cultural Origins
- Welsh English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Evie
Eva
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Evan
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Evan is also used as a boy name, ranked #143.
View Evan as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Welsh)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Evan
What does the name Evan mean?
"the Lord is gracious" (from Hebrew via Welsh). "young warrior" (from Celtic). Evan is the Welsh form of John, derived from the Hebrew Yohanan meaning 'God is gracious.' Long used as a masculine name in Wales, it crossed to girls' naming in the English-speaking world in the late 20th century, joining the trend of traditionally masculine names adopted for girls. The name carries a strong Celtic heritage while feeling fresh and contemporary on a girl.
What is the origin of the name Evan?
Evan has Hebrew via Welsh, Celtic, Welsh, English, and American origins. In Hebrew via Welsh, it means "the Lord is gracious". In Celtic, it means "young warrior".
Is Evan a boy or girl name?
Evan is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2779. As a boy name, it is ranked #143. Evan is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Evan?
Evan is pronounced EHV-uhn.
How popular is the name Evan?
Evan is currently ranked #2779 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Evan?
Common nicknames for Evan include Evie and Eva.
What are good middle names for Evan?
Popular middle name pairings include Evan Rose, Evan Grace, Evan Marie, Evan Jane, Evan Kate, and Evan Quinn.
What are good sibling names for Evan?
Names that pair well with Evan as siblings include Nolan, Declan, Harper, Avery, Reid, and Blake.
How many syllables does Evan have?
Evan has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Evan a common or rare name?
Evan is an uncommon name, ranked #2779 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Evan?
Are there other spellings for Evan?
About the Name Evan
Evan is a girl name with Welsh, English, and American origins . The name means "the Lord is gracious" in Hebrew via Welsh .
Is Evan a boy or girl name? Evan is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,779 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #143. Evan is more commonly used as a boy name.
Evan is currently ranked #2,779 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Evan has 2 syllables and is pronounced EHV-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Evan include Evie and Eva. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Evan include Eva, Evangeline, Evangelina, Evalyn, Evalynn . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis