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Original poster

Evelyn - how do you pronounce it?

69 replies

Sorbustree123 · 15/12/2022 07:59

I always thought it was EVE-LYN, but understand it's also pronounced EV-A-LYN? Trying to work out if one is more common than the other in the UK? Are there regional variations?

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winonarose · 23/12/2022 22:07

Eve-lyn not Eva-lyn

misslucy92 · 16/12/2022 16:46

eh/veh/linn

but I’ve never met one from the UK. They were all American.

Robin233 · 16/12/2022 01:24

My grandmas name ❤️
Not sure but think I've heard people call her by both ways - she wouldn't have minded.

Rustyhandlebars · 16/12/2022 00:11

Ava leen
I'm Dutch

greenteafiend · 15/12/2022 23:54

I've been out of the UK too long, I think--I would say "Eev-lin," every time, but that's probably wrong!

I would be massively put off this name for that reason (it's also been done to death, to be honest). Pity, as it's inherently such a pretty name.

HoratioNightboy · 15/12/2022 23:44

I've only ever heard EV-lin in Scotland. Most of the ones I know are 70+ though, not heard of any children named this.

UsingChangeofName · 15/12/2022 23:33

I've know
Eve - lins
Ever - Lins
and
even one Eva - Lin (but she was the only one I've ever know say it like that)

DramaAlpaca · 15/12/2022 23:31

In Ireland it's usually EV-lyn so that's my default pronunciation until told otherwise.

Purplemagnolias · 15/12/2022 23:25

Oh, and Evelyn Waugh's first wife was also an Evelyn, and I've never heard any suggestion that her name was pronounced differently from his

Of course not - it's the same name Confused

Random789 · 15/12/2022 20:56

Oh, and Evelyn Waugh's first wife was also an Evelyn, and I've never heard any suggestion that her name was pronounced differently from his

Shesasuperfreak · 15/12/2022 20:55

Ever Lynn

Random789 · 15/12/2022 20:54

EVE-lyn

I've never ever heard anyone pronounce Evelyn Waugh any other way.

CharitySchmarity · 15/12/2022 20:51

I default to EEV-lyn and have definitely known a couple of female ones pronounced like this - both a lot older than me though. I used to know an EV-lyn about my own age. Never met one with more than two syllables!

Purplemagnolias · 15/12/2022 20:50

All those saying 2 syllables for a boy - how many boys called Evelyn do you actually know?

I only know girls and they pronounce it either Eev-lin or Ev-eh-lin

Clettercletterthatsbetter · 15/12/2022 20:42

Three syllables for a girl, two for a boy.

KingscoteStaff · 15/12/2022 18:01

1 Eve-lin.

KingscoteStaff · 15/12/2022 18:00

We have 3 in Year 1 this year - 1 Ev-lin, 1 Ev-er-lin, Eve-lin.

fairycupcakes · 15/12/2022 17:56

Ev uh lynn

TheOtherBoleynGirls · 15/12/2022 17:55

I’ve heard both. I can never say it right though. I have friends who have 3 children with E names. The first two are pronounced with an Eh sound, so like Edward and Edwina, but their Evelyn is pronounced Eve-lynn. If I’m saying all 3 names I’m too deep in the Eh sound to pull myself back to the Ee sound 😂

Pemba · 15/12/2022 17:48

In fact there are many female eev-lins, you can't really say the eev-lin pronunciation is male only. Hardly anyone would name a boy Evelyn these days surely? Like Hilary. And paradoxically eev-lin sounds more feminine, like an extension of Eve.

The often used example of Evelyn Waugh, well I understand that his wife's name was pronounced the same, that's why their friends referred to them as 'Heev-lin' and 'Sheev-lin'.

eveoha · 15/12/2022 16:14

I am one and it’s the bane of my life - not phonetically correct and constantly mis pronounced 🙄 I nearly missed a blood test yesterday as nurse was calling for Eve uh line 😆

RunDownRita · 15/12/2022 15:38

PondintheRain · 15/12/2022 08:05

EV-uh-lin is the usual female pronunciation, EEV-lin the (far more unusual) male — see for instance Evelyn Waugh the (male) novelist who married a woman called Evelyn.

Yes this- EEV-lin Waugh, EV-uh-lin Glennie.

Purplemonkeyandbananas · 15/12/2022 15:35

Eh-veh-lyn

nothingmuchaboutjerry · 15/12/2022 13:55

I wanted this name for my DD, thank goodness I didn't as mis-pronunciation would drive me mad.

We're from West Yorkshire and it's pronounced Ev-eh-Lyn here...or that's how I would have named my DD had I not been vetoed.

AriettyHomily · 15/12/2022 13:48

Eve - Lyn or Ev-Lyn, never hear it as three
syllables

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