Evan

God is gracious, through the Hebrew root of John.

Evan is a masculine name of Welsh origin, carrying the meaning “God is gracious” through its relationship to John. It is an anglicized form of Ifan, a Welsh member of the same name family. The meaning reaches back to Hebrew Yohanan; the particular shape Evan comes through Welsh. That gives a short, unadorned name a deeper connection to a very old naming tradition. In English, Evan is pronounced /ˈɛv.ən/, with the opening vowel of bed. Welsh Ifan has a different opening: /ˈɪ.van/ or /ˈiː.van/. The two spellings are close relatives, but choosing between them also means choosing between distinct sounds. Evan’s flowing v and quiet n ending give it a gentle, understated feel. Its four-letter shape looks spare rather than elaborate, while the link to John adds a traditional thread.

Etymology: An anglicized form of Welsh Ifan, in the John name family; its meaning ultimately comes from Hebrew Yohanan.