Very interesting article!
So it’s possible that the surname
Evelyn was not immediately associated with
Aveline, or it might have been considered acceptable as a unisex name, or rather, a name whose male and female forms coincided in pronunciation and/or spelling. This is similar to other names in the period, such as Francis/Frances. Or
Evelyn wasn’t common enough for women to give it a strongly feminine edge.
Moreover in the
Tudor period some surnames were also used as given names for men. Examples include
Douglas and Essex. Making
Evelyn also acceptable for both genders.
It’s a rare example of a feminine name being used for women (although thanks to it being crystallised as a surname).
This message was edited 3/11/2025, 9:49 AM