Evelyn

Evelyn is an English given name derived from the Norman French surname Aveline, itself rooted in the Germanic element avi, whose precise meaning is debated but may relate to the word for life or a bird. Originally used almost exclusively as a masculine given name in English-speaking countries, it gradually shifted to predominant feminine use during the twentieth century. The English novelist Evelyn Waugh famously bore the name as a man, reflecting its earlier gender-neutral status. Related forms include Aveline, Evelina, and Evaline.