Evelyn
EV-uh-lin or EV-uh-lyn
A name with roots in “hazel,” later popularized as an elegant, ornamental name.
Meaning
The excerpts link Evelyn to the Latin name for a hazel: Old French and English forms ultimately point back to Latin avellana, meaning “hazel” or “hazel nut.” In 19th-century usage, it was also treated as a revived ornamental name, and the excerpts note it as the surname Evelyn that became a given name, especially for men, while the feminine form was associated with Evelina/Eveline.
Origin
EnglishLatinFrenchvaries by culture
Fun fact
The excerpts specifically say it should not be spelled with a y if the feminine name Eveline/Evelina is intended; the y-spelling was tied to the surname Evelyn.
Confidence: mixed. Sources: History of Christian Names, Praenomina; or, the etymology of the principal Christian names of Great Britain and Ireland.