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Home › Baby Names Directory › Sylvanus

Sylvanus

♂ Boy

Pronounced sil-VAY-nus /sɪlˈveɪnəs/Medium

Meaning: From Latin silva, 'wood, forest.' Sylvanus (Silvanus) was the Roman god of woods and fields; the name also appears in the New Testament as a companion of Paul, which we note.Medium

In 30 seconds: A woodland name of old: Sylvanus means 'of the woods,' the Roman god of forests (said 'sil-VAY-nus').
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Origin MediumLatin
MeaningFrom Latin silva, 'wood, forest.' Sylvanus (Silvanus) was the Roman god of woods and fields; the name also appears in the New Testament as a companion of Paul, which we note.
U.S. rank (2025)#13658 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1915
Total births (all-time)≈ 470

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 191518802025

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

Sylvanus comes from Latin silva, 'wood, forest.' In Roman myth Silvanus guarded woods and fields; the New Testament names a Silvanus among Paul's companions, which we note. Old-world and stately (said 'sil-VAY-nus').

In the U.S. it appears rarely, a vintage classical revival. Woodland-rooted, stately, and uncommon.

Did you know? Sylvanus was the Roman god of woods and fields, from Latin silva, 'forest' - and the name also appears in the New Testament as a companion of Paul, which we note (said 'sil-VAY-nus').
Overall data confidence 55%
References — Sylvanus — Latin silva 'forest'; Roman god; NT companion of Paul

Variations

SilvanusSilvano

Nicknames

VanSyl

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Sylvanus…

Silas— a like woodland-rooted name
Cyrus— a like stately classical pick
Linus— a like vintage -us ending name
Severus— another Latin name
Maximus— echoes that soft -us sound

Explore names like Sylvanus

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By meaningGod / DivineEarth / Nature

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Sylvanus mean?

Sylvanus is Latin for 'of the woods,' the name of the Roman god of forests.

How do you pronounce Sylvanus?

It's said sil-VAY-nus /sɪlˈveɪnəs/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Sylvanus a boy or girl name?

Sylvanus is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Sylvanus?

Sylvanus is a rare, vintage classical name for boys in the U.S.

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