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Home › Baby Names Directory › Sylvan

Sylvan

♀ Girl

Pronounced SIL-van /ˈsɪl.væn/High

Meaning: From Latin silva, 'a wood; a forest' — 'of the woods; wooded; a forest-dweller' (linked to Silvanus, the Roman woodland god); used for both sexes; here for girls; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: Of the woods; wooded: Sylvan is Latin. Lyrical, nature-rooted, and warm. Used for both sexes (here for girls; said 'SIL-van').
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Origin LowLatin
MeaningFrom Latin silva, 'a wood; a forest' — 'of the woods; wooded; a forest-dweller' (linked to Silvanus, the Roman woodland god); used for both sexes; here for girls; routes layered
U.S. rank (2024)#7529 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births15 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2024
Total births (all-time)≈ 117

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202419932024

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

Sylvan comes from Latin silva, 'a wood; a forest' — 'of the woods; wooded; a forest-dweller' (linked to Silvanus, the Roman woodland god; routes layered, which we note). Used for both sexes, here for a girl (slug distinguished; said 'SIL-van').

In the U.S. it appears for both sexes. Rare, of-the-woods at the root, and nature-rooted.

Did you know? Sylvan means 'of the woods; wooded; a forest-dweller' in Latin (from silva, 'a wood', linked to the woodland god Silvanus) — a lyrical, nature-rooted name, used for both sexes (here for girls; the routes are layered, which we note; said 'SIL-van').
Overall data confidence 40%
References — Sylvan — unisex; routes layered

Variations

SylvanaSilvanSilvana

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Sylvan…

Silvana— a kin spelling
Sylvie— a fellow Sylv- girls' name
Sylvia— another Sylv- girls' name
Christian— the same unisex feel
Roman— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Sylvan

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Sylvan mean?

Sylvan is Latin for 'of the woods; wooded; a forest-dweller'; used for both sexes; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Sylvan?

It's said SIL-van /ˈsɪl.væn/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Sylvan a boy or girl name?

Sylvan is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a girl's name.

How popular is Sylvan?

Sylvan is a rare name in the U.S.

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