Silas
Silas is a boy's name of Aramaic origin.
Meaning
Man of the forest; asked for or prayed for.
Origin and history
Silas is a classic name derived from Aramaic, closely related to the Latin name Silvanus. It gained widespread recognition through the New Testament as a companion of Saint Paul. The name has experienced a notable resurgence in recent years, becoming a popular choice in contemporary U.S. naming trends.
Popularity in the United States
75,465 babies in the United States have been named Silas since 1880. It ranks #386 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #83.
States where it is most popular
- TX (7.1 %)
- CA (6.9 %)
- NC (4.8 %)
- OH (4.4 %)
- FL (4.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 775 |
| 1890-1900 | 631 |
| 1900-1910 | 509 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,553 |
| 1920-1930 | 2,031 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,482 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,276 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,050 |
| 1960-1970 | 753 |
| 1970-1980 | 922 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,175 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,907 |
| 2000-2010 | 7,308 |
| 2010-2019 | 29,629 |
| 2020-2029 | 24,464 |
Famous people named Silas
- Silas Weir Mitchell: Actor
- Silas Deane: Diplomat, Politician
Nicknames
Si, Sy
Fun facts
- Silas was a key early Christian missionary mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles.
- George Eliot made the name famous in English literature with her 1861 novel Silas Marner.