Find out how popular the first name Evans has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Evans by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Evans is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 95% of people named Evans being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 65 male babies and 16 female babies born with the name Evans.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 16 baby girls were named Evans in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Evans

The name Evans originates from the Welsh language and can be traced back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Welsh personal name Ieuan, which is a Welsh form of the name John, ultimately stemming from the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning "Graced by God" or "Yahweh is gracious."

In its earliest form, the name Ieuan was spelled various ways, including Yvain, Yevan, and Evan. The plural form "Evans" emerged as a patronymic surname, indicating "son of Evan." Over time, it transitioned into being used as a given name in its own right.

While the name does not have a direct reference in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it has been in use among Welsh communities for centuries. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Evan the Priest, a 13th-century Welsh clergyman and author of the famous medieval Welsh chronicle, the "Brut y Tywysogion" (Chronicle of the Princes).

Among the notable historical figures with the name Evans, we can mention:

1. Evan Shelby (1720-1794), an American pioneer and Revolutionary War soldier who founded the city of Shelbyville, Tennessee.
2. Evan Nepean (1752-1822), a British civil servant and politician who served as Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
3. Evan Thomas (1782-1839), a Welsh Baptist minister and author who wrote extensively on Welsh history and culture.
4. Evan Roberts (1878-1951), a Welsh revivalist preacher who played a significant role in the Welsh Revival of 1904-1905.
5. Evan Hunter (1926-2005), an American author better known by his pen name Ed McBain, who pioneered the police procedural genre in crime fiction.

Throughout the centuries, the name Evans has maintained a strong connection to its Welsh roots while also gaining popularity in other parts of the world, particularly in English-speaking countries. Its enduring presence serves as a testament to the rich cultural heritage and historical significance of this name.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Evans was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Evans, please contact us.

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