Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Evan
BoyWelsh, Hebrew· “Yahweh is gracious”
- Meaning
- Yahweh is gracious
- Origin
- Welsh, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- EH-vuhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #153
- US babies 2025
- 2,412
- Best rank
- #35 (2009)
- Peak year
- 2007
Meaning and origin of Evan
Evan is a Welsh and Hebrew name that means “Yahweh is gracious”.
Evan is an anglicized form of Iefan, a Welsh form of John, and therefore shares John's Hebrew meaning, "Yahweh is gracious". Welsh surnames such as Evans and Bevan, from ab Evan, "son of Evan", grew from it. The name was used mainly in Wales for many generations before spreading more widely in North America and elsewhere during the twentieth century. It is sometimes confused with the unrelated Ethan and Owen, but it has its own history. Evan feels friendly, soft and understated. It rarely needs a nickname, though Ev is occasionally used.
Other spellings with the same sound: Evon.
Popularity over time
Evan 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 #35 in 2009, and the most babies received it in 2007, when 10,295 were named Evan. In 2025, 2,412 babies were named Evan, and it ranked #153 nationally. That is 59% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #482 in 1920, #459 in 1950, #159 in 1980, #55 in 2000, #36 in 2010, and #153 in 2025. Of the 287,701 US boys named Evan since records began, 32% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 64,762 babies. Since 2010, 81,776 more have been named Evan.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Isaac, Isaiah, Angel, Gavin, and Diego.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Evan ranked highest in California, Maryland, and New Jersey.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| California | #92 | 429 |
| Maryland | #111 | 52 |
| New Jersey | #118 | 82 |
| Alaska | #118 | 7 |
| New York | #120 | 155 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 98% of US babies named Evan over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Evan is usually pronounced EH-vuhn, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with E and ends in “-an”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Evon.
Middle names for Evan
A few middle names that flow with Evan: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Evan
Similar names
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Lists that include Evan
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Evan mean?
Evan is a Welsh and Hebrew name that means “Yahweh is gracious”.
What is the origin of the name Evan?
Evan has Welsh and Hebrew roots. Evan is an anglicized form of Iefan, a Welsh form of John, and therefore shares John's Hebrew meaning, "Yahweh is gracious".
Is Evan a popular name?
Yes. Evan ranked #153 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Evan a boy or girl name?
Evan is mainly a boy's name. About 98% of US babies named Evan over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Evan?
Evan is usually pronounced EH-vuhn. 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