The nameSylvie
Sylvie is the French form of Sylvia, meaning "of the forest". It is at its highest level in England and Wales.
- Girl's name
- Latin
Meaning
Sylvie comes from the Latin silva, "forest".
Origin
Latin, through French.
History
Sylvie was hugely popular in France in the 1960s. In English-speaking countries it is a recent choice: in England and Wales it reached 186th place in 2025, and in the United States 360th in 2024, both its best ranks.
Did you know?
- Sylvie Guillem was made a principal dancer of the Paris Opera Ballet by Rudolf Nureyev at the age of 19.
- Sylvie was the most popular girls' name in France from 1961 to 1964.
Famous people named Sylvie
- Sylvie Vartan, singer
- Sylvie Guillem, ballet dancer
- Sylvie Testud, actress
Popularity of the name Sylvie
Sylvie in the United States
Sylvie was most popular in the United States in the 2020s, with 3,187 births over the decade, 43% of all recorded babies named Sylvie. Its rise began around 2007, and it peaked in 2024. Half of all babies named Sylvie in the United States were born before 2018, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 637 births a year on average, against 273 in the five years before.
Sylvie in the United Kingdom
Sylvie was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2020s, with 1,174 births over the decade, 43% of all recorded babies named Sylvie. Its rise began around 2004, and it peaked in 2025. Half of all babies named Sylvie in the United Kingdom were born before 2018, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 213 births a year on average, against 114 in the five years before.
Sylvie in France
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Sylvie
Names from the same generation as Sylvie, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Sylvie? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Sylvie with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Sylvie side by side with the name of your choice.
Sylvie in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sylvie mean?
Sylvie comes from the Latin silva, "forest".
What is the origin of the name Sylvie?
Latin, through French.
Is Sylvie a girl's or a boy's name?
Sylvie is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Sylvie?
In 2024, Sylvie was the 358th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 868 births.
What are the variants of the name Sylvie?
Variants and related names of Sylvie include Silvia, Sylvette and Sylvine.
What are good sibling names for Sylvie?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Florence, Aurelia, Mabel and Raya for a sister, Teo, Otto, Sonny and Augustine for a brother.
Who are famous people named Sylvie?
Sylvie Vartan, singer; Sylvie Guillem, ballet dancer; Sylvie Testud, actress.