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Sylvia

♀ Girl

Pronounced SIL-vee-uh /ˈsɪlviə/High

Meaning: From the forest; spirit of the woodsHigh

In 30 seconds: The timeless Latin woodland name meaning 'spirit of the forest.' Sylvia has deep Roman mythological roots and 20th-century literary prestige through Sylvia Plath — a name of quiet power and great natural beauty.
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Origin HighLatin
MeaningFrom the forest; spirit of the woods
U.S. rank (2025)#300 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births1,017 girls (0.06% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1937
Total births (all-time)≈ 245,058

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 193718802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Sylvia is the feminine form of the Latin name Silvius, derived from silva (forest, woodland). Rhea Silvia was the Vestal Virgin in Roman mythology who became the mother of Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome. Saint Silvia of Rome (c. 515–592 CE), mother of Pope Gregory the Great, helped keep the name in religious use.

Sylvia was popular throughout the 20th century and retains a distinguished literary association through the poet Sylvia Plath (1932–1963). After a period of relative quiet, it is being rediscovered as a sophisticated, nature-rooted classic with more depth than many of its contemporaries.

Did you know? In Roman mythology, Rhea Silvia was the Vestal Virgin and mother of Romulus and Remus — the legendary founders of Rome. The name Sylvia, from her maternal line, carries the founding story of Western civilisation.
Overall data confidence 97%
Behind the Name — Sylvia — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

SilviaSylvieSilvana

Nicknames

SylViaVivi

Famous Bearers

  • ★Sylvia Plath (1932–1963)
    American poet and novelist, author of The Bell Jar and the collection Ariel; Pulitzer Prize winner posthumously.

If you like Sylvia…

Sylvie— the French diminutive form sharing the identical Latin forest meaning
Flora— Latin flower-and-nature name with the same classical Roman mythology elegance
Vivienne— French classic with the same mid-century literary pedigree and vintage revival
Beatrice— literary Latin classic with the same deep historical roots and quiet grandeur

Frequently Asked

What does the name Sylvia mean?

Sylvia is a Latin name meaning 'from the forest' or 'spirit of the woods,' from silva (forest).

How do you pronounce Sylvia?

It is said SIL-vee-uh /ˈsɪlviə/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Sylvia a boy or girl name?

Sylvia is used almost exclusively as a girls' name.

How popular is Sylvia?

Sylvia has been reviving in the U.S. and ranked in the top 300 for girls in the mid-2020s.