Sylvia Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Sylvia Name Meaning

Fact: Sylvia is famously known as the name of Remus and Romulus’s mother, who, according to legend, were the founders of Rome​

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A Deep Dive

Sylvia Overview

Meaning

Forest, wood

Gender

Girl

Origin

Latin

Etymology

Derived from the Latin word “silva”

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈsɪlviə/

Popularity

Sylvia is appreciated globally, especially in English-speaking and European countries. In the USA, Sylvia ranked as the 426th most popular name for girls in 2023​

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

6 letters

Numerology

7 (Analytical, Studious, Knowledgeable)

Name Styles

Classic, Nature-inspired, Vintage, Mythological

Associated Traits

Elegant, poetic, nurturing, sophisticated

Name Day

November 3rd (Poland), May 4th (Hungary), October 3rd (Latvia)​
A Deep Dive

Sylvia Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Silvia, Sylvie, Silvana, Sylva, Silviana

Common Nicknames

Sylly, Sylly-Bee, Sylly-Sue, Sylly-Pop, Sylly-Belle

Diminutives

Syl, Via, Vee, Sisi, Vivi

Famous People

  • Sylvia Plath
    (American Poet)
  • Sylvia Rivera
    (Puerto Rican Activist)
  • Sylvia Sidney
    (American Actress)
  • Sylvia Earle
    (American Marine Biologist)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Sylvia Llewelyn Davies
    ("Finding Neverland," Film)
  • Sylvia Fine
    ("The Nanny," TV Series)
  • "Sylvia's Mother"
    (Song)
  • Sylvia Tilly
    ("Star Trek: Discovery," TV Series)

Places

  • Sylvia Lake
    (New York, USA)
  • Sylvia Creek
    (Victoria, Australia)
  • Sylvia City
    (Kansas, USA)
  • Lake Sylvia State Park
    (Washington, USA)
  • Sylvia Falls
    (New South Wales, Australia)

What Is the Meaning of Sylvia?

Sylvia means “from the forest” or “wooded.” People named Sylvia are considered to be peaceful and connected with nature, reflecting a calm and grounded personality.

What Is the Origin of The Name Sylvia?

Sylvia comes from the Latin word “silva,” which means “forest” or “woodland.” It has ancient Roman roots and has been used in many European countries over centuries.

Sylvia Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Sylvia in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#4652021#4362022#4262023
Top 3 Rankings#501937#531936#561938

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Sylvia

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023426
(+10 from 2022)
722
(+2 from 2022)
0.04128
2022436
(+29 from 2021)
720
(+47 from 2021)
0.04015
2021465
(+37 from 2020)
673
(+69 from 2020)
0.03756
2020502
(+9 from 2019)
604
(-11 from 2019)
0.03417
2019511
(-20 from 2018)
615
(-18 from 2018)
0.03352
2018491
(-9 from 2017)
633
(-13 from 2017)
0.03404
2017482
(+20 from 2016)
646
(+25 from 2016)
0.03420
2016502
(-18 from 2015)
621
(-40 from 2015)
0.03208
2015484
(+7 from 2014)
661
(+26 from 2014)
0.03388
2014491
(+16 from 2013)
635
(+41 from 2013)
0.03246
2013507
(+18 from 2012)
594
(+16 from 2012)
0.03081
2012525
(+25 from 2011)
578
(+47 from 2011)
0.02980
2011550
(+7 from 2010)
531
(+6 from 2010)
0.02740
2010557
(-9 from 2009)
525
(-30 from 2009)
0.02678
2009548
(+6 from 2008)
555
(-1 from 2008)
0.02741
2008554
(-21 from 2007)
556
(-31 from 2007)
0.02669
2007533
(-13 from 2006)
587
(+6 from 2006)
0.02773
2006520
(+8 from 2005)
581
(+34 from 2005)
0.02779
2005528
(+29 from 2004)
547
(+35 from 2004)
0.02695
2004557
(-7 from 2003)
512
(+8 from 2003)
0.02537
2003550
(-37 from 2002)
504
(-30 from 2002)
0.02512
2002513
(+4 from 2001)
534
(+15 from 2001)
0.02704
2001517
(-21 from 2000)
519
(-23 from 2000)
0.02620
2000496
(-14 from 1999)
542
(+3 from 1999)
0.02716
1999482
(-14 from 1998)
539
(-14 from 1998)
0.02769
1998468
(+16 from 1997)
553
(+36 from 1997)
0.02853
1997484
(-32 from 1996)
517
(-36 from 1996)
0.02708
1996452
(-16 from 1995)
553
(-36 from 1995)
0.02884
1995436
(-13 from 1994)
589
(-4 from 1994)
0.03065
1994423
(-51 from 1993)
593
(-92 from 1993)
0.03042
1993372
(-11 from 1992)
685
(-25 from 1992)
0.03474
1992361
(-39 from 1991)
710
(-121 from 1991)
0.03542
1991322
(+12 from 1990)
831
(+13 from 1990)
0.04087
1990334
(-15 from 1989)
818
(+19 from 1989)
0.03982
1989319
(-29 from 1988)
799
(-57 from 1988)
0.04011
1988290
(-5 from 1987)
856
(-7 from 1987)
0.04451
1987285
(-5 from 1986)
863
(-16 from 1986)
0.04605
1986280
(-9 from 1985)
879
(-52 from 1985)
0.04763
1985271
(-23 from 1984)
931
(-73 from 1984)
0.05042
1984248
(-10 from 1983)
1004
(-34 from 1983)
0.05568
1983238
(+16 from 1982)
1038
(+55 from 1982)
0.05800
1982254
(-7 from 1981)
983
(-25 from 1981)
0.05418
1981247
(+17 from 1980)
1008
(+46 from 1980)
0.05636
1980264
(-17 from 1979)
962
(-54 from 1979)
0.05403
1979247
(+3 from 1978)
1016
(+68 from 1978)
0.05896
1978250
(+5 from 1977)
948
(-33 from 1977)
0.05767
1977255
(-27 from 1976)
981
(-76 from 1976)
0.05964
1976228
(-13 from 1975)
1057
(-86 from 1975)
0.06724
1975215
(-26 from 1974)
1143
(-210 from 1974)
0.07323
1974189
(+3 from 1973)
1353
(+6 from 1973)
0.08638
1973192
(+2 from 1972)
1347
(-118 from 1972)
0.08667
1972194
No change from 1971
1465
(-112 from 1971)
0.09085
1971194
(-5 from 1970)
1577
(-151 from 1970)
0.08998
1970189
(-11 from 1969)
1728
(-85 from 1969)
0.09433
1969178
(-14 from 1968)
1813
(-150 from 1968)
0.10285
1968164
(-8 from 1967)
1963
(-249 from 1967)
0.11482
1967156
(-10 from 1966)
2212
(-199 from 1966)
0.12884
1966146
(-15 from 1965)
2411
(-549 from 1965)
0.13732
1965131
(+6 from 1964)
2960
(+17 from 1964)
0.16197
1964137
(-9 from 1963)
2943
(-338 from 1963)
0.15036
1963128
(+3 from 1962)
3281
(-177 from 1962)
0.16503
1962131
(-7 from 1961)
3458
(-292 from 1961)
0.17061
1961124
(-3 from 1960)
3750
(-76 from 1960)
0.18054
1960121
(-1 from 1959)
3826
(-26 from 1959)
0.18397
1959120
(-6 from 1958)
3852
(-303 from 1958)
0.18532
1958114
(-5 from 1957)
4155
(-153 from 1957)
0.20114
1957109
(-1 from 1956)
4308
(+162 from 1956)
0.20533
1956108
(-1 from 1955)
4146
(+143 from 1955)
0.20131
1955107
(-6 from 1954)
4003
(-81 from 1954)
0.19966
1954101
No change from 1953
4084
(+272 from 1953)
0.20514
1953101
(-2 from 1952)
3812
(+23 from 1952)
0.19756
195299
(-2 from 1951)
3789
(+12 from 1951)
0.19921
195197
No change from 1950
3777
(+165 from 1950)
0.20446
195097
(-3 from 1949)
3612
(-203 from 1949)
0.20540
194994
(+6 from 1948)
3815
(+144 from 1948)
0.21732
1948100
(-3 from 1947)
3671
(-428 from 1947)
0.21065
194797
(-15 from 1946)
4099
(+5 from 1946)
0.22548
194682
(+1 from 1945)
4094
(+719 from 1945)
0.25383
194583
No change from 1944
3375
(+84 from 1944)
0.25072
194483
(-6 from 1943)
3291
(-332 from 1943)
0.24083
194377
(-5 from 1942)
3623
(-105 from 1942)
0.25240
194272
(-7 from 1941)
3728
(-60 from 1941)
0.26811
194165
(-3 from 1940)
3788
(-14 from 1940)
0.30401
194062
No change from 1939
3802
(-68 from 1939)
0.32184
193962
(-6 from 1938)
3870
(-387 from 1938)
0.34125
193856
(-6 from 1937)
4257
(-115 from 1937)
0.37295
193750
(+3 from 1936)
4372
(+216 from 1936)
0.39679
193653
(+7 from 1935)
4156
(+536 from 1935)
0.38569
193560
(+10 from 1934)
3620
(+145 from 1934)
0.33310
193470
(+14 from 1933)
3475
(+540 from 1933)
0.32106
193384
(+12 from 1932)
2935
(+367 from 1932)
0.28058
193296
(+27 from 1931)
2568
(+641 from 1931)
0.23213
1931123
(+9 from 1930)
1927
(+97 from 1930)
0.17459
1930132
(-13 from 1929)
1830
(-207 from 1929)
0.15689
1929119
No change from 1928
2037
(-185 from 1928)
0.17597
1928119
(-3 from 1927)
2222
(-125 from 1927)
0.18586
1927116
(-9 from 1926)
2347
(-181 from 1926)
0.18982
1926107
(-1 from 1925)
2528
(-9 from 1925)
0.20550
1925106
(-2 from 1924)
2537
(-220 from 1924)
0.20086
1924104
(-6 from 1923)
2757
(-81 from 1923)
0.21279
192398
(-4 from 1922)
2838
(-123 from 1922)
0.22659
192294
(-6 from 1921)
2961
(-336 from 1921)
0.23734
192188
(-3 from 1920)
3297
(-20 from 1920)
0.25763
192085
(-8 from 1919)
3317
(-95 from 1919)
0.26663
191977
(-6 from 1918)
3412
(-263 from 1918)
0.29047
191871
(-2 from 1917)
3675
(+206 from 1917)
0.30565
191769
(-1 from 1916)
3469
(+55 from 1916)
0.30872
191668
(-1 from 1915)
3414
(+130 from 1915)
0.31445
191567
(+3 from 1914)
3284
(+719 from 1914)
0.32075
191470
(+2 from 1913)
2565
(+552 from 1913)
0.32198
191372
(+5 from 1912)
2013
(+374 from 1912)
0.30737
191277
(+5 from 1911)
1639
(+455 from 1911)
0.27935
191182
(+10 from 1910)
1184
(+184 from 1910)
0.26798
191092
(+1 from 1909)
1000
(+153 from 1909)
0.23836
190993
(+8 from 1908)
847
(+99 from 1908)
0.23010
1908101
(+8 from 1907)
748
(+137 from 1907)
0.21098
1907109
(-2 from 1906)
611
(-6 from 1906)
0.18107
1906107
(+13 from 1905)
617
(+89 from 1905)
0.19685
1905120
(-2 from 1904)
528
(+31 from 1904)
0.17040
1904118
(+2 from 1903)
497
(+33 from 1903)
0.16995
1903120
(+16 from 1902)
464
(+53 from 1902)
0.16679
1902136
(-7 from 1901)
411
(+21 from 1901)
0.14661
1901129
(+7 from 1900)
390
(-56 from 1900)
0.15341
1900136
(-6 from 1899)
446
(+75 from 1899)
0.14037
1899130
(+2 from 1898)
371
(-20 from 1898)
0.14991
1898132
(+3 from 1897)
391
(+34 from 1897)
0.14262
1897135
(+5 from 1896)
357
(+17 from 1896)
0.14379
1896140
(+17 from 1895)
340
(+64 from 1895)
0.13492
1895157
(-5 from 1894)
276
(-12 from 1894)
0.11169
1894152
(-8 from 1893)
288
(+2 from 1893)
0.12205
1893144
(+5 from 1892)
286
(+11 from 1892)
0.12698
1892149
(+6 from 1891)
275
(+57 from 1891)
0.12227
1891155
(+3 from 1890)
218
(-5 from 1890)
0.11090
1890158
(+19 from 1889)
223
(+57 from 1889)
0.11058
1889177
(-3 from 1888)
166
No change from 1888
0.08773
1888174
(-1 from 1887)
166
(+31 from 1887)
0.08762
1887173
(-6 from 1886)
135
(-2 from 1886)
0.08686
1886167
(+6 from 1885)
137
(+25 from 1885)
0.08911
1885173
(+26 from 1884)
112
(+25 from 1884)
0.07890
1884199
(-9 from 1883)
87
(+8 from 1883)
0.06323
1883190
(-12 from 1882)
79
No change from 1882
0.06580
1882178
(+7 from 1881)
79
(+12 from 1881)
0.06828
1881185
(-24 from 1880)
67
(-14 from 1880)
0.06778
1880161
First SSA data recorded
81
First SSA data recorded
0.08299

American States Popularity Rankings for Sylvia

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#8982021#8232022#10872023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#3972021#4012022#4302023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#7302021#8702022#6942023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#2372021#2222022#1732023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#4932021#4452022#4272023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#7232021#6442022#5202023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#3502021#2302022#2822023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#3062021#2672022#2792023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#7492021#8052022#8492023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#9872021#17382022#7662023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#5042021#5642022#3692023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#4822021#4392022#3032023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#8332021#9622022#9662023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#3942021#7632022#4252023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#6802021#5432022#11642023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#5772021#7322022#6132023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#5182021#5622022#3972023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#3472021#4052022#2992023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#2392021#1522022#1842023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#2332021#2452022#3202023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#3102021#2672022#2282023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#6262020#6412022#5272023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#8112021#10422022#9412023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#2112021#1772022#3082023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#3232019#3752021#2302022

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#6972021#4662022#4682023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#6132021#4442022#2672023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#4012021#3192022#2512023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#4762020#4172022#3692023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#4942003#5102004#5042010

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#3932021#3582022#3652023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#3692021#5452022#6132023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#6752020#3412022#2862023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#2902021#2122022#3792023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#3641991#2412014#2482015

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#2432020#1952021#2532022

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#3802021#2812022#3632023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#3042020#3122021#3962023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#4062021#3912022#4332023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#2272010#2672016#1972020

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#2622019#2462020#2012023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1692016#2492018#1592023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#2922020#3152021#3662022

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2561971#2161988#3072008

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1742015#1872019#1872022

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1262013#1062021#922023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1971960#1991962#2051965

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1641967#1141971#1351992

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1591982#1271987#1212016

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#6732008#4442015#5252017

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1842013#1762015#1742016

Popularity Rankings for Sylvia in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#1501983#1691984#1741985

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#1761979#1751980#1791981

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#1751993#1821994#1801996

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#3481987#3621988#4492013

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#4002020#3872022#3542023

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#7191998#6911999#4352002

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#4352020#4672022#4892023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#4362018#8712019#7272023

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#6262021#4872022#7482023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#5742019#6432020#5812021

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#5942013#7242015#7112016

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#8122001#8322003#9742020

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Sylvia a Name for Boys or Girls?

Sylvia is mainly a feminine name, capturing the essence of grace and nature, which are qualities often attributed to girls.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Sylvia

Sylvia in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Sylvia Plath (Poet, 1932-1963): An American poet and novelist, celebrated for her intense and emotional writing style.
  • Sylvia Rivera (Activist, 1951-2002): A Puerto Rican transgender activist, pivotal in the early fight for LGBTQ+ rights in the United States.
  • Sylvia Sidney (Actress, 1910-1999): An American actress, notable for her roles in both film and television during a career spanning several decades.
  • Sylvia Earle (Marine Biologist, born 1935): An American marine biologist and oceanographer, widely recognized for her pioneering work in ocean exploration and conservation.
  • Sylvia Robinson (Music Producer, 1936-2011): An American singer and record producer, instrumental in the development of hip-hop music.
  • Sylvia Mathews Burwell (Politician, born 1965): An American government official, who has served as the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
  • Sylvia Kristel (Actress, 1952-2012): A Dutch actress, famous for her role in the Emmanuelle film series.
  • Sylvia Llewelyn Davies ("Finding Neverland," 2004 Film): The mother of the boys who inspired J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan.
  • Sylvia Fine ("The Nanny," 1993 TV Series): The loud and overbearing mother of Fran Fine, known for her comical antics.
  • "Sylvia's Mother" (1972 Song by Dr. Hook): A ballad about a man trying to reconnect with his former lover through her mother.
  • Sylvia Tilly ("Star Trek: Discovery," 2017 TV Series): An optimistic and eager ensign serving aboard the USS Discovery.
  • Sylvia Rosen ("Mad Men," 2007 TV Series): A neighbor and mistress of Don Draper, involved in a complex romantic subplot.
  • Sylvia Costas ("NYPD Blue," 1993 TV Series): A dedicated assistant district attorney involved with Detective Andy Sipowicz.
  • Sylvia Lake (New York, USA): A small, scenic lake located in the Adirondack Mountains.
  • Sylvia Creek (Victoria, Australia): A creek that flows through the Yarra Ranges National Park.
  • Sylvia City (Kansas, USA): A small city located in Reno County.
  • Sylvia State Park (Washington, USA): A state park offering hiking, fishing, and camping opportunities.
  • Sylvia Falls (New South Wales, Australia): A beautiful waterfall located in the Blue Mountains.
  • Sylvia Flats Hot Springs (Canterbury, New Zealand): Natural hot springs located near the Lewis Pass.
  • Sylvia Ridge (British Columbia, Canada): A mountain ridge providing hiking and scenic views.

Similar Names to Sylvia

Sibling Names for Sylvia

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Sylvia’s elegance and rich legacy make it a wonderful choice for any baby. Feel free to reach out for more. Thanks for visiting!