"breath of life, to breathe"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Spanish
Eva
Pronunciation: [ AYV-uh ]
Girl Name
#120 Most Popular
Steady
2 Syllables
The mother of all names, elegant across every border
English
Spanish
Italian
German
Scandinavian
Eastern European
Classic
Elegant
Minimalist
International
Vintage
Meaning & Origin
"life, living one"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
"breath, to breathe"
Origin: Hebrew (alternate root)
Language: Hebrew
The Story of Eva
Eva is the Latinate form of Eve, derived from the Hebrew Chava (חַוָּה), meaning 'life' or 'living'. In the Book of Genesis, Eve is presented as the first woman and mother of all humanity — a name of extraordinary primordial weight. Eva became the preferred spelling across Romance languages and much of Central and Eastern Europe, while Eve remained more common in English.
Eva has maintained remarkable stability across generations and cultures, consistently popular throughout Europe and increasingly so in the US, where the similar-sounding Ava exploded in the early 2000s. Parents who love Ava's sound but want something slightly more global and classical often choose Eva.
Beyond the biblical Eve, Eva Perón — 'Evita' — became one of the most iconic political figures of the 20th century as Argentina's First Lady, making the name synonymous with passionate populism. In Scandinavia and Central Europe, Eva has been a beloved name for centuries.
Fun Facts
- Eva Perón (Evita) was so beloved in Argentina that she was proposed for canonization
- Eva is currently a top-10 name in Sweden, Spain, and several other European countries
- The name Eva and its variants appear in virtually every European language with minimal changes
Eva in Other Languages
Arabic
إيفا
French
Ève/Eva
German
Eva
Hebrew
חַוָּה (Chava)
Italian
Eva
Russian
Ева
Spanish
Eva
Swedish
Eva
Famous People Named Eva
E
Eva Green
Actor
1980
French actress known for Casino Royale, Penny Dreadful, and her collaborations with Tim Burton
E
Eva Longoria
Actor
1975
American actress known for Desperate Housewives and prominent Latina Hollywood figure
E
Eva Perón
Politician
1919
First Lady of Argentina (1946-1952), beloved populist icon known as Evita, subject of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical
W
WALL-E's EVE Fictional
Other
Extraterrestrial Vegetation Evaluator robot in Pixar's WALL-E (2008), whose full name is EVE
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #120
- Total SSA Count
- 2,296
- Cultural Origins
- English Spanish Italian German Scandinavian Eastern European
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Evie
Eve
Pairs Well With
Eva Marie
Eva Rose
Eva Grace
Eva Louise
Eva Claire
Eva Sofia
Eva Luna
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Eva is also used as a boy name, ranked #31806.
View Eva as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Eva
What does the name Eva mean?
"breath of life, to breathe" (from Hebrew). "life, living one" (from Hebrew). "breath, to breathe" (from Hebrew (alternate root)). Eva is the Latinate form of Eve, derived from the Hebrew Chava (חַוָּה), meaning 'life' or 'living'. In the Book of Genesis, Eve is presented as the first woman and mother of all humanity — a name of extraordinary primordial weight. Eva became the preferred spelling across Romance languages and much of Central and Eastern Europe, while Eve remained more common in English.
What is the origin of the name Eva?
Eva has Hebrew, Hebrew (alternate root), English, Spanish, Italian, German, Scandinavian, and Eastern European origins. In Hebrew, it means "breath of life, to breathe". In Hebrew, it means "life, living one". In Hebrew (alternate root), it means "breath, to breathe".
Is Eva a boy or girl name?
Eva is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #120. As a boy name, it is ranked #31806. Eva is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Eva?
Eva is pronounced AYV-uh.
How popular is the name Eva?
Eva is currently ranked #120 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Eva?
Common nicknames for Eva include Evie and Eve.
What are good middle names for Eva?
Popular middle name pairings include Eva Marie, Eva Rose, Eva Grace, Eva Louise, Eva Claire, Eva Sofia, and Eva Luna.
What are good sibling names for Eva?
Names that pair well with Eva as siblings include Luca, Mia, Leo, Isla, Marco, Aria, and Felix.
How many syllables does Eva have?
Eva has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Eva a common or rare name?
Eva is a popular name, ranked #120 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Eva
Eva is a girl name with English, Spanish, Italian, German, Scandinavian, and Eastern European origins . The name means "breath of life, to breathe" in Hebrew .
Is Eva a boy or girl name? Eva is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #120 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #31,806. Eva is more commonly used as a girl name.
Eva is currently ranked #120 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Eva has 2 syllables and is pronounced AYV-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Eva include Evie and Eve. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Eva include Evangeline, Evangelina, Evalyn, Evalynn, Evalina . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.