Evan is a moderately popular boys' name in England & Wales, ranking #195 in 2025 with 261 recorded births. The name reached its all-time peak in 2009 with 973 births ranking #70. Since 1996, the popularity has increased by 54.4%. In 2025, approximately 1 in every 1,042 boys born was named Evan. FALLING Recent data shows the name is currently falling.
Evan is most often treated as the Welsh form of John and is therefore usually linked with the meaning "God is gracious". It feels gentle, clean, and well established without ever seeming dated.
The name has long been used in Wales and later spread widely through the English-speaking world. Its modern popularity comes from its easy sound and familiar but not overformal style.