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Silvia

♀ Girl

Pronounced SIL-vee-uh /ˈsɪl.vi.ə/High

Meaning: Forest or woodland; from Latin silva (forest, woodland)High

In 30 seconds: A Latin name meaning 'forest,' from silva (woodland). The Roman mother of Romulus and Remus was Rhea Silvia — making this name entwined with the founding myth of Rome itself.

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Origin HighLatin

MeaningForest or woodland; from Latin silva (forest, woodland)

U.S. rank (2025)#1240 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births182 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1991

Total births (all-time)≈ 21,266

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Silvia comes from Latin silva (forest, woodland). Silvia or Rhea Silvia is the Vestal Virgin in Roman mythology who, impregnated by Mars, bore Romulus and Remus — the legendary founders of Rome. The Italian spelling Silvia is used alongside the Latin Sylvia.

Silvia has been used in Italian, Spanish, and other European communities for centuries. In the U.S. it is used primarily in Hispanic and Italian American communities. It ranked #1166 for girls in 2024.

Did you know? Rhea Silvia, the Vestal Virgin in Roman mythology who became the mother of Rome's twin founders Romulus and Remus, gives Silvia a founding-myth claim that few names can match — the name of the mother of Rome.

Overall data confidence 96%

Behind the Name — Silvia — Latin etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

SylviaSylvieSylviah

Nicknames

SilvVia

Famous Bearers

★Rhea Silvia (mythological)
Vestal Virgin in Roman mythology, mother of Rome's legendary founders Romulus and Remus by the god Mars.

If you like Silvia…

Sylvia— the standard English/Latin spelling of the same name

Sylvie— the French diminutive of the same name

Virginia— Latin -ia ending name with the same classical woodland feel (Virgo: maiden or virgin forest)

Livia— Latin feminine -ia name from the same Roman classical tradition

Olivia— Latin -ia ending name with the same classical feminine elegance

Explore names like Silvia

By themelatin nature three-syllable mythology roman forest

By meaningEarth / Nature

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Silvia mean?

Silvia means 'forest' or 'woodland,' from Latin silva. Rhea Silvia in Roman mythology was the mother of Rome's legendary founders Romulus and Remus.

How do you pronounce Silvia?

It's said SIL-vee-uh — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Silvia a boy or girl name?

Silvia is used as a girls' name.

How popular is Silvia?

Silvia ranked #1166 for U.S. girls in 2024.