Evi is a feminine given name with multiple origins. In Greek, it is a diminutive of Paraskevi and of names beginning with Ev, such as Evagelia or Evangelia. In Dutch and German, it is a diminutive of Eva. Etymology The Greek connection traces back to Paraskevi, a name derived from Greek paraskeue meaning "preparation" or "Friday," referring to the day of preparation before the Sabbath. This name was borne by a 2nd-century saint martyred in Rome. The root name Paraskeve is the ancient Greek form. As a diminutive, Evi shares this rich historical and religious background. Cross-Cultural Usage In the Dutch and German contexts, Evi often functions as a pet form of Eva, which itself derives from the Hebrew name Chava, meaning "life" or "living," and is the name of the Biblical first woman. This gives Evi a dual heritage: one tied to Eastern Orthodox tradition via Paraskevi, and another linked to the foundational figure of Judeo-Christian theology through Eva. Notable Bearers Many notable individuals have carried the name Evi across different fields. Among them are: Evi Christofilopoulou (born 1956), Greek politician Evi Sachenbacher-Stehle (born 1980), German cross-country skier Evi Nemeth (1940–2013), American computer scientist and engineer Evi Quaid (born 1963), American film director Evi Liivak (1924–1996), Estonian violinist Evi Gkotzaridis (born 1969), Greek historian Related Forms Variants of Evi include the Dutch Eef and Evy, as well as the Greek diminutive Paraskevoula. Longer Greek forms like Evangelos (masculine) and its diminutive Vangelis share the Ev- beginning. Meaning: Diminutive of Paraskevi (preparation) and Eva (life) Origin: Greek, Dutch, German Type: Diminutive Regions: Greece, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium