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Home › Baby Names Directory › Silvester

Silvester

♂ Boy

Pronounced sil-VESS-ter /sɪlˈvɛs.tər/High

Meaning: Silvester is a spelling of Sylvester, from the Latin silva, 'forest' or 'woodland', meaning 'of the woods'. Common in German, Polish, and Central European use, where Silvester also names New Year's Eve after Pope Sylvester I.Medium

In 30 seconds: Silvester is a Latin name meaning 'of the forest', a variant of Sylvester. It was used across the twentieth century and is said 'sil-VESS-ter'.
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Origin MediumLatin
MeaningSilvester is a spelling of Sylvester, from the Latin silva, 'forest' or 'woodland', meaning 'of the woods'. Common in German, Polish, and Central European use, where Silvester also names New Year's Eve after Pope Sylvester I.
U.S. rank (2023)#12032 ↘ Falling
2023 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1960
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,306

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 196018842023

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Silvester is a variant of Sylvester, from the Latin silva, 'forest', so it means 'of the woods' or 'woodland dweller'. The form with an i is especially common in German, Polish, and Czech usage, where 'Silvester' also names New Year's Eve after Pope Sylvester I; in America it appeared among immigrant families. The familiar spelling Sylvester is borne by actor Sylvester Stallone.

In the United States Silvester was never common, given to only a few dozen boys a year with a long thin presence and a faint high point near 1960. Someone named Silvester in the mid-century would be a senior now, so the name reads as a vintage heritage form rather than one in current revival.

Did you know? In German, Polish, and other Central European countries New Year's Eve is called Silvester, after Pope Sylvester the First, whose feast falls on December thirty-first, giving the name a festive association.
Overall data confidence 65%
References - Silvester / Sylvester — Latin silva 'forest'; Pope Sylvester I; German/Polish New Year

Variations

SylvesterSilvestreSilwesterSylwester

Nicknames

SilVester

Famous Bearers

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If you like Silvester…

Sylvester— the familiar spelling of the same 'forest' name
Silas— a related Latin/biblical name with the Sil- opening
Lester— a fellow vintage -ester ending boys' name
Chester— another old-fashioned -ester name of the era

Explore names like Silvester

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Silvester mean?

Silvester is a Latin name meaning 'of the forest', a variant of Sylvester.

How do you pronounce Silvester?

It's said sil-VESS-ter /sɪlˈvɛs.tər/ - three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Silvester a boy or girl name?

Silvester is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Silvester?

Silvester is rare in the U.S., a heritage variant of Sylvester used mainly by immigrant families.

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