Narrative: This began as a surname, then was used as a personal name for boys. At the beginning of the 20th century, there was a dramatic shift in its gender association, and Evelyn has been more ''she'' than ''he'' ever since.

While scholars see no clear reason for this change, the name's similarity to Eve and Eva might have set up an irresistable gravitational pull across the gender line. Leslie and Ashley have both experienced a similar pull, though not to the same degree.