Evelyn in Chinese
Evelyn in Chinese is 伊芙琳 (Yī Fú Lín).
- Origin
- English/Germanic
- Meaning
- desired; hazelnut
Evelyn is a name of English/Germanic origin, generally understood to mean "desired; hazelnut". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 1920s.
3 ways to write Evelyn
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
伊芙琳
Yī Fú Lín
The standard transliteration of Evelyn: 伊 (yī, "phonetic 'i/e'; that one (classical)"), 芙 (fú, "lotus (芙蓉)"), 琳 (lín, "beautiful jade"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
Syllable by syllable: 伊 (yī) carries "e", 芙 (fú) carries "ve", 琳 (lín) carries "lyn". The tone contour is 1-2-2 (high level, rising, rising).
Character breakdown
26 strokes total (simplified)- 伊
yī
Tone 1 · 6 strokes (simplified)
phonetic 'i/e'; that one (classical)
- 芙
fú
Tone 2 · 8 strokes (simplified)
lotus (芙蓉)
- 琳
lín
Tone 2 · 12 strokes (simplified)
beautiful jade
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
乐瑶
Lè Yáo
Inspired by "desired; hazelnut": 乐 (lè, "joy, happiness; music") + 瑶 (yáo, "precious jade"), expressing love, joy and blessings.
Why these characters?
乐 (joy, happiness; music) answers the "desired" in Evelyn's meaning, and 瑶 (precious jade) rounds it off as a typical ending for girls' names.
Character breakdown
19 strokes total (simplified)- 乐
lè
Tone 4 · 5 strokes (simplified)
joy, happiness; music
- 瑶
yáo
Tone 2 · 14 strokes (simplified)
precious jade
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
伊欣
Yī Xīn
伊 (yī, "phonetic 'i/e'; that one (classical)") + 欣 (xīn, "joyful, glad"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 伊 (yī), the same opening character as the transliteration 伊芙琳, for the "e" sound, and replaces the rest with 欣 ("joyful, glad") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
14 strokes total (simplified)- 伊
yī
Tone 1 · 6 strokes (simplified)
phonetic 'i/e'; that one (classical)
- 欣
xīn
Tone 1 · 8 strokes (simplified)
joyful, glad
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
Recent US usage of Evelyn
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Evelyn ranked 9 among names recorded for girls, with 55,734 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 562,951 girls named Evelyn since 1880, with the high point in 1921 (14,279 births) and the busiest decade being the 1920s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #220 to #9 among girls.
- Peak year
- 1921
- Peak decade
- 1920s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 562,951
More About Evelyn in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Evelyn offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Evelyn, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for girls, you might also be interested in Alicia in Chinese, Jacqueline in Chinese, and Lisa in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Shannon in Chinese, Jenna in Chinese, and Katelyn in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Evelyn, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Evelyn to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How do you write Evelyn in Chinese?
伊芙琳 (Yī Fú Lín), identical in simplified and traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How many strokes does 伊芙琳 have?
26 strokes in simplified form; per character: 伊 6, 芙 8, 琳 12.
Does Evelyn change in traditional Chinese?
No. 伊芙琳 uses only characters that are the same in both scripts, so one design works everywhere.