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Home › Baby Names Directory › Sylis

Sylis

♂ Boy

Pronounced SY-lis /ˈsaɪ.lɪs/High

Meaning: Modern y-spelling of Silas, linked to Latin Silvanus, 'of the forest', or to Aramaic Sheila, 'asked for'Medium

In 30 seconds: Silas with a y-axis: same New Testament traveler, same forest-god roots, new geometry. The spelling is the only modern thing about it.
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Origin MediumAmerican, Latin
MeaningModern y-spelling of Silas, linked to Latin Silvanus, 'of the forest', or to Aramaic Sheila, 'asked for'
U.S. rank (2025)#2253 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births63 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2013
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,043

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201319982025

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

Sylis respells Silas, the companion of Paul whose name is usually traced to Latin Silvanus — the Roman forest god, hence 'of the forest' — or to an Aramaic name meaning 'asked for'. Silas has surged in twenty-first-century America, and y-spellings followed as they always do.

Sylis (with Sylas the more common variant) appears thinly in recent records. It remains rare — woodland-deep meaning, fresh-cut look.

Did you know? The biblical Silas sang hymns at midnight in a Philippian jail until an earthquake threw the doors open — one of the Bible's great prison-break scenes.
Overall data confidence 75%
Behind the Name — Silas — etymology, debated

Variations

SilasSylasSilis

Nicknames

Sy

Famous Bearers

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If you like Sylis…

Silas— the biblical standard it respells
Sylas— the more common y-variant
Cyrus— a fellow Sy-sounding ancient revival
Miles— shares the gentle vintage-modern register

Explore names like Sylis

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Sylis mean?

Sylis is a modern spelling of Silas, linked to Latin Silvanus, 'of the forest', or an Aramaic name meaning 'asked for'.

How do you pronounce Sylis?

It's said SY-lis /ˈsaɪ.lɪs/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Sylis a boy or girl name?

Sylis is a boy's name.

How popular is Sylis?

Sylis is a very rare spelling in the U.S.; Silas is the rising classic.

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