Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Evan is a Welsh name meaning 'God is gracious', originating from the form 'Iefan', which is related to John. It has evolved through various forms and gained popularity in the 19th century. The name is often associated with positive traits and has notable figures bearing it.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈɛvən/
Origin
Welsh
Etymology
The name Evan is derived from the Welsh name 'Iefan', which itself is a form of the name John. It is often associated with the meaning 'God is gracious'.
Meaning
God is gracious
Language Evolution
Iefan, Iohannes, John, Evan
Historical Usage
Evan gained popularity in the 19th century, particularly in Wales and among English-speaking populations. It has since become a common given name in various countries.
Variants & Derivatives
Evin, Evans, Iwan
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Evan is perceived as a modern and approachable name, often associated with friendliness and creativity.
Famous People
Evan Rachel Wood, Evan Peters, Evan Longoria
📊 Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 10,410 peak births in 2007
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Nevada
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (5 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 5 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
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
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 481st of 7545 | 2,587 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 540th of 6773 | 2,253 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 416th of 7552 | 6,199 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 277th of 10718 | 12,087 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 73rd of 16616 | 71,323 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 47th of 24088 | 137,379 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 85th of 23106 | 53,028 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 4569th of 9107 | 67 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 5057th of 9204 | 53 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 3833rd of 12526 | 192 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 4110th of 19264 | 234 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1523rd of 27321 | 1,513 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1920th of 35406 | 1,614 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2230th of 30306 | 1,002 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
28.11% 398th/1416 |
30.60% 422nd/1379 |
37.07% 877th/2366 |
29.07% 332nd/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
29.56% 457th/1546 |
24.94% 388th/1556 |
55.76% 1312th/2353 |
24.63% 381st/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
17.60% 392nd/2227 |
11.19% 272nd/2430 |
24.26% 692nd/2853 |
12.76% 354th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
9.53% 280th/2937 |
5.34% 186th/3483 |
11.20% 394th/3518 |
6.18% 250th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
1.87% 69th/3685 |
1.45% 65th/4475 |
1.73% 90th/5194 |
1.46% 92nd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
0.70% 32nd/4582 |
0.74% 38th/5164 |
0.74% 54th/7313 |
0.79% 59th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
2.11% 84th/3984 |
1.45% 65th/4487 |
1.55% 106th/6822 |
1.20% 75th/6276 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
100.00% 2430th/2430 |
- | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
92.94% 3237th/3483 |
95.37% 3355th/3518 |
83.90% 3393rd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
45.16% 1664th/3685 |
46.26% 2070th/4475 |
28.24% 1467th/5194 |
26.44% 1670th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
55.11% 2525th/4582 |
51.28% 2648th/5164 |
24.18% 1768th/7313 |
28.22% 2106th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
65.34% 2603rd/3984 |
64.07% 2875th/4487 |
35.08% 2393rd/6822 |
33.06% 2075th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity 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.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in Nevada across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) 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. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is declining in usage, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been gradually declining. From 2020-2022, usage has been too rising for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, too falling for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, too falling for male in South, falling for female in South, too rising for male in West, falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been too rising for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, falling for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, falling for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 481st out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 540th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 416th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 277th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 73rd out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 47th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 85th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 4569th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 5057th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3833rd out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 4110th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1523rd out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1920th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2230th out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.