Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Eva
GirlLatin, Hebrew· “life”
- Meaning
- life
- Origin
- Latin, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- EE-vuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #134
- US babies 2025
- 2,154
- Best rank
- #31 (1889)
- Peak year
- 1918
Meaning and origin of Eva
Eva is a Latin and Hebrew name that means “life”.
Eva is the Latin form of Eve, from the Hebrew Chawwah, usually connected with a word meaning "to live" or "life". Eve is the first woman in the Genesis creation story, and the Latin form Eva was used across Christian Europe; it remains a standard form in many European languages. Readers of Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin know Little Eva, one of the most famous characters in nineteenth-century American fiction. In the United States both EE-vuh and AY-vuh are heard, the latter common in European usage. Eva is short, elegant and timeless, and it works in almost any language.
Other spellings with the same sound: Ava.
Popularity over time
Eva has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #31 in 1889, and the most babies received it in 1918, when 4,563 were named Eva. In 2025, 2,154 babies were named Eva, and it ranked #134 nationally. That is 43% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #58 in 1920, #175 in 1950, #298 in 1980, #294 in 2000, #91 in 2010, and #134 in 2025. Of the 284,761 US girls named Eva since records began, 13% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 35,216 babies. Since 2010, 50,351 more have been named Eva.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Pearl, Ida, Viola, Myrtle, and Bertha.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Eva ranked highest in District of Columbia, Maine, and New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | #59 | 11 |
| Maine | #75 | 13 |
| New York | #83 | 166 |
| Florida | #86 | 186 |
| Maryland | #92 | 46 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Eva is usually pronounced EE-vuh, with two syllables. It has three letters, starts with E and ends in “-va”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Ava.
Middle names for Eva
A few middle names that flow with Eva: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Eva
Similar names
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Lists that include Eva
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Eva mean?
Eva is a Latin and Hebrew name that means “life”.
What is the origin of the name Eva?
Eva has Latin and Hebrew roots. Eva is the Latin form of Eve, from the Hebrew Chawwah, usually connected with a word meaning "to live" or "life".
Is Eva a popular name?
Yes. Eva ranked #134 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Eva a boy or girl name?
Eva is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Eva?
Eva is usually pronounced EE-vuh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings