Evan is a highly popular boys' name in United States, ranking #47 in 2012 with 7,909 recorded births. The name reached its all-time peak in 2007 with 10,295 births ranking #40. Since 1996, the popularity has increased by 41.8%. In 2012, approximately 1 in every 240 boys born was named Evan. STABLE Recent data shows the name is currently stable.
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.