Ethelyn Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Ethelyn is an Old English name that combines the elements meaning 'noble' with a diminutive suffix, creating a sense of endearment. It has evolved from 'Æðel' through various forms into its current iteration. The name is associated with traits of nobility and grace, but it does not have a biblical background. Ethelyn gained popularity in the 20th century and is seen as a vintage choice today, with notable figures bearing the name.
The name Ethelyn is most popular in Maine, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the G.I. Generation generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Ethelyn has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Ethelyn' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 606th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 954th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2361st out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 9338th out of 19264 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 30306th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Ethelyn' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Ethelyn"
Pronunciation
/ˈɛθəˌlɪn/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
Ethelyn is derived from the Old English name 'Æðel' meaning 'noble' combined with the diminutive suffix '-lyn', which suggests a sense of endearment or smallness.
Meaning
noble
Language Evolution
Æðel, Ethelin, Ethelyn
Historical Usage
Ethelyn has gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, as a feminine form of the name Ethel.
Variants & Derivatives
Ethel, Etheline, Ethlyn
Modern Popularity & Image
Ethelyn is perceived as a vintage and elegant name, often associated with nobility and grace.
Famous People
Ethelyn McCulloch, a prominent American artist, Ethelyn Wright, a notable educator
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Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Ethelyn"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Ethelyn"
"Ethelyn" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 606th of 9107 | 2,488 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 954th of 9204 | 1,067 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2361st of 12526 | 424 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 9338th of 19264 | 54 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 30306th of 30306 | 5 |
Regional Popularity of "Ethelyn" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Ethelyn" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
36.58% 518th/1416 |
35.90% 495th/1379 |
34.95% 827th/2366 |
83.27% 951st/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
62.29% 963rd/1546 |
54.11% 842nd/1556 |
56.52% 1330th/2353 |
94.96% 1469th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
95.69% 2131st/2227 |
- |
93.45% 2666th/2853 |
- |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Ethelyn"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Ethelyn" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.