In the early 1900s did people with the name 'Eva' get called Ethel?

You how names used to get changed, like William was Bill and John was Jack, did Eva get called Ethel? Just trying to find my great grandma in my geneology. She's called Eva Mary Croft born 1890, but mysteriously does not appear on the cencus returns, there is an Ethel that matches though, wondering if it could be her. Thanks in advance x