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Evan Boy

Popularity: #139 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationEH-vin / ˈɛvən

Welsh; Hebrew

Meaning

Welsh: young warrior; Hebrew: God is gracious

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Evan has its roots in the Hebrew name "Yehohanan," which means "God is gracious." This name was adapted into Greek as "Ioannes" and later into Latin as "Iohannes." The name evolved into various forms across different languages, including the Old French "Jean," which ultimately influenced the English version "John." The Welsh form of the name, "Iefan," emerged as a diminutive of "Iohannes," and it is from this Welsh variant that the name Evan is derived. The transition into English occurred during the Middle Ages, particularly as Welsh culture began to influence English-speaking regions, especially in Wales and the border areas of England.

Historically, the name Evan has been borne by notable figures, including Evan Roberts, a key figure in the Welsh Revival of the early 20th century, which significantly impacted religious life in Wales. Additionally, the name has been associated with various saints, such as Saint Evan, a 6th-century figure in Welsh Christianity, further solidifying its presence in religious contexts. The name also appears in literary works and historical texts, contributing to its recognition in both ecclesiastical and cultural narratives.

Culturally, Evan is often associated with qualities of grace and favor, reflecting its original meaning. The name has been embraced in various traditions, particularly in Welsh culture, where it symbolizes strength and resilience. The diminutive form "Ev" is sometimes used, although Evan stands robustly on its own. The name's enduring appeal can be attributed to its deep historical roots and the positive connotations associated with its meaning, making it a significant name within both religious and cultural contexts.

Trend Summary

Evan has consistently ranked among the top names for boys in the United States, particularly popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Ev
  • Eddie

International Variants

  • Ewan (Scottish)
  • Ivo (Spanish)
  • Yvan (French)

Famous people named Evan

Evan Peters is an actor best known for American Horror Story, Mare of Easttown, and WandaVision.

Evan Rachel Wood is an actress best known for Westworld, Thirteen, and Across the Universe.

Evan Longoria is a former professional baseball player best known for his time with the Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, and San Francisco Giants.

Evan Spiegel is an entrepreneur best known for co-founding Snapchat.

Fictional characters named Evan

Evan Hansen is a fictional character from the musical Dear Evan Hansen. He is a high school student struggling with social anxiety and seeks connection after a classmate's tragic death.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Evan was first seen in the United States in 1880. Evan has ranked as high as #57 nationally, which occurred in 2007, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Evan has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Evan (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 435
18%
TX 317
13%
NY 152
6%
FL 141
6%
IL 105
4%
PA 93
4%
VA 74
3%
GA 71
3%
OH 70
3%
AZ 64
3%
WA 61
3%
MA 60
3%
NC 60
3%
MI 56
2%
IN 47
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188022
188124
188212
188318
188422
188523
188611
188721
188822
188917
189022
189118
189220
189317
189425
189513
189614
189717
189824
189917
190024
190124
190220
190322
190412
190520
190626
190720
190825
190925
191031
191129
191277
191392
191499
1915149
1916182
1917161
1918178
1919132
1920159
1921157
1922182
1923147
1924170
1925157
1926127
1927164
1928130
1929118
1930126
1931112
1932116
1933108
1934136
1935106
193697
1937120
1938128
1939126
1940126
1941128
1942154
1943148
1944136
1945138
1946166
1947210
1948165
1949174
1950208
1951226
1952289
1953275
1954287
1955323
1956357
1957301
1958328
1959397
1960451
1961487
1962495
1963455
1964605
1965558
1966547
1967492
1968451
1969544
1970595
1971550
1972560
1973573
1974631
1975620
1976777
19771,006
19781,157
19791,402
19801,624
19811,972
19822,669
19833,046
19842,937
19853,219
19863,888
19873,869
19884,336
19894,926
19905,309
19915,449
19926,051
19936,089
19945,895
19956,090
19965,578
19976,002
19986,084
19996,850
20007,333
20017,259
20027,384
20039,443
20049,983
200510,109
200610,129
200710,295
20089,926
200910,280
20109,732
20118,661
20127,909
20137,119
20146,724
20155,916
20165,612
20174,726
20184,389
20193,964
20203,413
20213,204
20222,842
20232,593
20242,526