The name Eveline is a French feminine given name derived from the Germanic name Avelina. It is composed of the Germanic elements "avi," meaning "desired," and "lind," meaning "soft, tender, or lithe." The name has its roots in the Middle Ages and was popular among the French nobility.

In the 12th century, the name Eveline appeared in the medieval French epic poem "The Song of Roland." The poem mentions Eveline as the wife of Guibourc, one of the characters in the story. This early literary reference suggests that the name was in use among the French aristocracy during that period.

One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name Eveline was Eveline de Vieuxpont, a 13th-century French noblewoman who lived from around 1210 to 1265. She was the daughter of Enguerrand III, Lord of Vieuxpont, and married Henry II, Count of Auxerre.

In the 14th century, Eveline de Montbéliard (1345-1397) was a French noblewoman and Countess of Montbéliard. She played a significant role in the politics of the region during her lifetime.

The name gained popularity in England during the Middle Ages, likely due to the Norman influence. One notable bearer was Eveline de Broc (c. 1180-c. 1240), an English heiress and feudal baroness who inherited substantial lands in Somerset and Devon.

In the realm of literature, Eveline is the central character in James Joyce's short story "Eveline," published in his 1914 collection "Dubliners." The story explores the character's struggle between pursuing a new life abroad or remaining in the familiar confines of Dublin.

Other historical figures named Eveline include Eveline von Drigalski (1825-1909), a German artist and painter known for her portraits and landscapes, and Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf (born 1956), a Swiss politician who served as the President of the Swiss Confederation in 2012.