The nameSylvain
Sylvain is a French boy's name meaning "of the forest". It was very popular in France in the 1970s.
- Boy's name
- Latin
Meaning
Sylvain comes from the Latin Silvanus, from silva, "forest". Silas and Silvanus in English share the same root.
Origin
Latin. Silvanus was the Roman god of woods and fields.
History
Sylvain peaked in France around 1980.
Sylvain in other languages
Sylvain is the French form of the Latin Silvanus. It is Silvano in Italian and Spanish, Silvan in German and Sylwan in Polish. English uses Silas, from the same family.
Did you know?
- The animator Sylvain Chomet's The Triplets of Belleville was nominated for two Oscars.
Famous people named Sylvain
- Sylvain Tesson, travel writer
- Sylvain Chomet, animator, director of The Triplets of Belleville
Popularity of the name Sylvain
Sylvain in France
Sylvain was most popular in France in the 1970s, with 40,480 births over the decade, 30% of all recorded babies named Sylvain. Its rise began around 1950, and it peaked in 1980. Half of all babies named Sylvain in France were born before 1976, so it is mostly a parents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 28 births a year on average, against 39 in the five years before.
Sylvain in Belgium
Sylvain was most popular in Belgium in the 2000s, with 311 births over the decade, 42% of all recorded babies named Sylvain. Half of all babies named Sylvain in Belgium were born before 2001.
Variants and related names
Sylvain in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sylvain mean?
Sylvain comes from the Latin Silvanus, from silva, "forest". Silas and Silvanus in English share the same root.
What is the origin of the name Sylvain?
Latin. Silvanus was the Roman god of woods and fields.
Is Sylvain a girl's or a boy's name?
Sylvain is a boy's name.
What are the variants of the name Sylvain?
Variants and related names of Sylvain include Sylvaine, Sylviane and Sylvio.
Who are famous people named Sylvain?
Sylvain Tesson, travel writer; Sylvain Chomet, animator, director of The Triplets of Belleville.