Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Using Evan for a girl

83 replies

missrubi · 06/09/2023 13:12

Hello,
Opinions welcome, thinking about using Evan for a baby girl. What does everyone think?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
KirstenBlest · 06/09/2023 16:30

@zurigirl , it's a boy's name in the same way as Mark and Paul are boy's names.
Welsh baby name sites usually contain many entries that are either not names or are not Welsh, and some that are quite bonkers.

zurigirl · 06/09/2023 16:22

@KirstenBlest Thanks for letting me know! Never realised it was Welsh or a version of John, so that's two things learned in one day. 😁

I just looked it up online though, and nameberry and other websites are saying it's gender-neutral. So is it the fact that it's a version of John that puts people off? Or is it just a gut feeling people have that it's a boy's name?

KirstenBlest · 06/09/2023 16:15

@zurigirl , it's an anglicised Welsh form of John, a boy's name

zurigirl · 06/09/2023 16:10

I'm actually really confused by this as I knew a girl Evan growing up so I always think of it as a girl's name first and foremost, or at the very least unisex. I opened this thread expecting entirely different responses!

FFSWhatToDoNow · 06/09/2023 15:43

one of DD’s best friends changed her name from something girly to Evan the summer before starting high school. There have been precisely zero issues.

schoolless · 06/09/2023 15:41

Horrible name for a girl. Why on earth would you want to pick it when there are thousands of much nicer girls' names out there?

Don't particularly like it for a boy, either, unless you're American.

KirstenBlest · 06/09/2023 15:31

Would you call a daughter John or Ian, @missrubi
Would you call your son Siân or Jane?

misscupcakes · 06/09/2023 15:06

It's usually a boys' name and will probably require her to make a lot of corrections/explanations throughout her life - depends how much that bothers you!

What about:
Evaline/Evalynn
Savannah
Bethany
Ava
Ivy

DPotter · 06/09/2023 15:01

In the UK it is most usually used as a surname, and I'm not a fan of using surnames as first names. And I'm certainly not a fan of using traditional boys names for girls.

If your looking for a strong name for a girl there are lots to choose from

mewkins · 06/09/2023 14:58

I love the name and I wouldn't think it odd to be used for a girl.

FlutteryButterfly · 06/09/2023 14:54

KnickerlessParsons · 06/09/2023 13:50

How about Evangeline, nn Evan?

This is a good shout!

My friend (female) is called Michael. She hates it as always having to explain why she has a 'boys' name- she doesn't really understand it herself.

You can get away with unisex names but not an obviously male name.

SirenSays · 06/09/2023 14:51

Love it!

Imogensmumma · 06/09/2023 14:45

No don’t do it… it’s not you that has to live with the name it is your daughter think of her when she is older and how much of a pain in the ….Evan for a girl will be .

When you give a child a name you can’t name them as a cute 5 year old girl you need to name them for the workplace and adulthood.

Evangeline is a great suggestion

ActDottie · 06/09/2023 14:43

You can if you want, I personally hate it though

Pollywoddles · 06/09/2023 14:41

How about Evanne?

Bitingspaniel · 06/09/2023 14:36

Biased as I have a boy Evan, so I think it's a gorgeous name, but very much a boys one to me!

EdgeOfACoin · 06/09/2023 14:36

It follows the sexist fad of giving a girl a boy's name.

You wouldn't give a boy a girl's name. Ask yourself why not, and reflect on the reasons.

CurlewKate · 06/09/2023 14:33

Yep. So long as you'd be equally happy to call your son Lily.

Marsyas · 06/09/2023 14:33

I wouldn't bat an eyelid.

FoodFann · 06/09/2023 14:32

No, it is a boy’s name.

You wouldn’t call a boy Samantha.

rosydreams · 06/09/2023 14:31

the girl spelling Eavan

or if not

Evania
EVANORA
Evanthe
Evander
Evanna

Olika · 06/09/2023 14:30

Not feeling it.

SoftSheen · 06/09/2023 14:28

But why? It isn't even an especially nice boys' name, let alone for a girl. She won't thank you for it!

VenusClapTrap · 06/09/2023 14:28

No

TakeMe2Insanity · 06/09/2023 14:27

No! Why not a girl’s name?

Swipe left for the next trending thread