The nameSylvia
Sylvia is a girl's name of Latin origin meaning "of the forest". Sylvia Plath made it a literary name.
- Girl's name
- Latin
Meaning
Sylvia comes from the Latin silva, "forest, wood".
Origin
Latin. Rhea Silvia was the mother of Romulus and Remus, founders of Rome.
History
Sylvia reached the American top 50. Sylvia Plath and Sylvia Pankhurst are famous bearers.
Did you know?
- In 1982 Sylvia Plath became the first person to win the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry posthumously.
Famous people named Sylvia
- Sylvia Plath, poet
- Sylvia Pankhurst, suffragette
- Queen Silvia of Sweden
- Sylvia Earle, oceanographer
Popularity of the name Sylvia
Sylvia in the United States
Sylvia was most popular in the United States in the 1950s, with 39,656 births over the decade, 16% of all recorded babies named Sylvia. Its rise began around 1900, and it peaked in 1937. Half of all babies named Sylvia in the United States were born before 1947, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 717 births a year.
Sylvia in the United Kingdom
Sylvia was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 573 births over the decade, 42% of all recorded babies named Sylvia. Half of all babies named Sylvia in the United Kingdom were born before 2016, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 77 births a year on average, against 66 in the five years before.
Sylvia in Ireland
Sylvia in France
Sylvia in Austria
Sylvia in Norway
Sibling names for Sylvia
Names from the same generation as Sylvia, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Sylvia? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Sylvia with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Sylvia side by side with the name of your choice.
Sylvia in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sylvia mean?
Sylvia comes from the Latin silva, "forest, wood".
What is the origin of the name Sylvia?
Latin. Rhea Silvia was the mother of Romulus and Remus, founders of Rome.
Is Sylvia a girl's or a boy's name?
Sylvia is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Sylvia?
In 2024, Sylvia was the 361st most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 863 births.
What are good sibling names for Sylvia?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Regina, Alma, Cecilia and Francesca for a sister, Francis, Franklin, Marcel and Kieran for a brother.
Who are famous people named Sylvia?
Sylvia Plath, poet; Sylvia Pankhurst, suffragette; Queen Silvia of Sweden; Sylvia Earle, oceanographer.