Eva

The female first name Eva is a name derived from the Bible, whose origin and meaning have not yet been definitively clarified. Eva translates to 'life', 'the life-giver', 'the life-bestowing', or further interpreted as 'the mother of the living'.

What does the name Eva mean?

The female first name Eva is a name derived from the Bible, whose origin and meaning have not yet been definitively clarified. Eva translates to 'life', 'the life-giver', 'the life-bestowing', or further interpreted as 'the mother of the living'. Its origin likely lies in the Hebrew name ḥawwāh or chawwah (חַוָּה), which in turn derives from the ancient Hebrew word chavvâh (חוּה) for 'to breathe', 'to live', and 'living'. However, it may also stem from the Old Aramaic ḥwh (חוה) for 'the serpent'. In the Greek translation of the Old Testament, the name is rendered at one point (Gen 3:20 as opposed to Gen 4:1) not as Eva (Ευα) but as Zoé (Ζωή), which means 'life'. According to Jewish, Christian, and Muslim beliefs, she is the first woman in the world. (The version with Lilith appears only from the 9th century AD, about 2,000 years after the first documentation of the creation story). The creation story already exists in the Bible (Genesis) in two different versions, and according to older finds in Ugarit, there is another Adam and Eve story (without Lilith). This story is even 800 years older than previously thought. The Muslim tradition (7th century AD) has a creation story that differs from Jewish-Christian concepts. However, for believers, it is not the historical-critical but the salvific truth of the stories that is central. Éva is considered the Hungarian spelling of the name. Variants include: Arabic Hawwa (حواء), Armenian/Russian Jewa (Էվա/Ева), Baltic Ieva, Biblical Chavva, English/French Eve (Ève), Estonian/Finnish Eeva and Eevi, Hebrew Chawa, Irish Eabha (Éabha), Modern Hebrew Hava, Polish Ewa, Spanish Evelia, Turkish Havva. Eva was already an important female first name in German naming in the Middle Ages. Notable bearers of the name include the Hungarian singer Eva Marton and the German actress Eva Mattes.

Where does the name Eva come from?

The word origin of Eva is a female first name of ancient Hebrew and biblical origin with the meaning 'life'. Ancient Hebrew Biblical

How do you pronounce Eva?

Sound & pronunciation of Eva: The name Eva is two syllables and softly pronounced. In German pronunciation, it is usually spoken as 'E-va' [ˈeːva], starting with a long, bright 'e' that conveys lightness. The open ending syllable provides a friendly conclusion. Eva appears timeless and harmonious - clear, elegant, and present.

When is the name day of Eva?

The name day for Eva is June 4 (in honor of Eva of Liège) and December 24 (in honor of Eva from the Book of Genesis).

Popularity

The female first name Eva was mostly ranked between the top 30 and top 50 in Germany from the 1880s to the 1900s, placing it in the upper middle range of given names. In the 1910s to the early 1920s, the name gained significant popularity, reaching the top 15 multiple times. Particularly in 1911 with 13th place and in 1912 with 14th place, it showed a stable establishment in the forefront.

Nicknames & pet names

Ave / Eba / Eddi / Effchen / Effy / Ehf / Ehfchen / Ehfje / Elefant / Ev / Ev ev / Evafant / Evakind / Eval / Evalein / Evali / Evalino / Evaschen / Evche / Evchen / Eve / Evelche / Evelina / Everl / Evev / Evi / Evichen / Evigo / Evii / Evilein / Evili / EviLou / Evita / Evkay / Evl / Evo / Evoli / Evs / Evschn / Evus / Evy / Ewa / Ewka / Ewua / Ewwa / Iv / Vava / Veve / Webs / Üffes

Similar first names

Ev

Famous people

• Eva (wife of Adam)
• Eva (school) (acronym for 'self-responsible work')
• Eva Adolfsson (Swedish writer)
• Eva Ahnert-Rohlfs (German astronomer)
• Eva Akesson (Swedish chemist)
• Eva Bonnier (painter from Sweden)
• Eva Braun (mistress of Adolf Hitler and his later wife)
• Eva Brenner (diploma engineer in interior architecture and television presenter)
• Eva Briegel (singer)
• Eva Brunner (writer from Switzerland)
• Eva Cassidy (singer)
• Eva Cox (Australian writer)
• Eva Crane (English scientist)
• Eva de Maiziere (sculptor from Germany)
• Eva Dellacqua (Belgian singer)
• Eva Dollinger (Austrian triathlete)
• Eva Dyrberg (tennis player from Denmark)
• Eva Gonzalez (model)
• Eva Gram Schjoldager (Danish actress)
• Eva Green (French actress)