diff --git a/Lib/test/test_typing.py b/Lib/test/test_typing.py
index 042604ed7c1a42..0c57c83491042d 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_typing.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_typing.py
@@ -7582,6 +7582,18 @@ def test_with_module(self):
         typing.evaluate_forward_ref(
             fwdref_module.fw,)
 
+    def test_evaluate_forward_ref_string_format(self):
+        # Test evaluating forward references in STRING format
+        # does not 'leak' internal names
+        # See https://github.com/python/cpython/issues/150641
+
+        def f(arg: unknown | str | int | list[str] | tuple[int, ...]): ...
+
+        ref = annotationlib.get_annotations(f, format=annotationlib.Format.FORWARDREF)['arg']
+        self.assertEqual(
+            typing.evaluate_forward_ref(ref, format=annotationlib.Format.STRING),
+            "unknown | str | int | list[str] | tuple[int, ...]",
+        )
 
 class CollectionsAbcTests(BaseTestCase):
 
diff --git a/Lib/typing.py b/Lib/typing.py
index 6011b62cd26944..8b17cbbae2f6ec 100644
--- a/Lib/typing.py
+++ b/Lib/typing.py
@@ -1032,7 +1032,7 @@ def evaluate_forward_ref(
 
     """
     if format == annotationlib.Format.STRING:
-        return forward_ref.__forward_arg__
+        return forward_ref.__resolved_str__
     if forward_ref.__forward_arg__ in _recursive_guard:
         return forward_ref
 
diff --git a/Misc/NEWS.d/next/Library/2026-05-31-14-39-25.gh-issue-150641.LLIhd1.rst b/Misc/NEWS.d/next/Library/2026-05-31-14-39-25.gh-issue-150641.LLIhd1.rst
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000000..eba899c96fcd26
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Misc/NEWS.d/next/Library/2026-05-31-14-39-25.gh-issue-150641.LLIhd1.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Fix bug where :func:`typing.evaluate_forward_ref` with the ``STRING`` format
+could leak internal names used by the annotation machinery.