Sylvester
Sylvester is a boy's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Of the forest or wild.
Origin and history
Sylvester is a classic masculine name derived from the Latin word for woodland or forest. It was historically popular in the early to mid-20th century in the United States, though its usage has become relatively rare in recent decades.
Popularity in the United States
43,230 babies in the United States have been named Sylvester since 1880. It ranks #552 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1535.
States where it is most popular
- MS (8.2 %)
- GA (5.9 %)
- AL (5.9 %)
- IL (5.9 %)
- PA (5.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 796 |
| 1890-1900 | 971 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,343 |
| 1910-1920 | 5,420 |
| 1920-1930 | 6,861 |
| 1930-1940 | 5,139 |
| 1940-1950 | 5,361 |
| 1950-1960 | 6,171 |
| 1960-1970 | 3,840 |
| 1970-1980 | 2,293 |
| 1980-1990 | 2,018 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,212 |
| 2000-2010 | 735 |
| 2010-2019 | 677 |
| 2020-2029 | 393 |
Famous people named Sylvester
- Sylvester Stallone: Actor, Filmmaker
- Sylvester James: Singer, Musician
Nicknames
Sly, Syl
Fun facts
- The name was borne by three popes, most notably Pope Sylvester I, whose feast day falls on New Year's Eve.
- The name gained widespread cultural recognition through actor Sylvester Stallone and the classic Looney Tunes character Sylvester the Cat.