"the Lord is gracious"
Origin: Hebrew via Welsh
Language: Welsh
Evan
Pronunciation: [ EHV-uhn ]
Girl Name
#2,779 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
2 Syllables
A bold Welsh classic breaking gender norms
Welsh
English
American
Modern
Strong
Unique
Bold
Meaning & Origin
"young warrior"
Origin: Celtic
Language: Welsh
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.
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
Famous People Named Evan
E
Evan Rachel Wood
Actor
1987
American actress known for Westworld and Thirteen; prominent advocate for abuse survivors
E
Evan Peters
Actor
1987
American actor known for American Horror Story and Dahmer
E
Evan Hansen Fictional
Other
Fictional protagonist of the Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen
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
Pairs Well With
Evan Rose
Evan Grace
Evan Marie
Evan Jane
Evan Kate
Evan Quinn
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Evan is also used as a boy name, ranked #143.
View Evan as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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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.
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.