Sylvia
Sylvia is a girl's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
From the forest or spirit of the wood.
Origin and history
Sylvia is a traditional feminine name derived from the Latin word for forest or woods. It has enjoyed long-standing popularity in the United States, remaining a recognizable classic for well over a century. Today, it offers a vintage, nature-inspired choice with a timeless literary quality.
Popularity in the United States
245,070 babies in the United States have been named Sylvia since 1880. It ranks #167 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #402.
States where it is most popular
- TX (12 %)
- NY (11.9 %)
- CA (9 %)
- PA (5.6 %)
- IL (4.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 1,109 |
| 1890-1900 | 3,025 |
| 1900-1910 | 5,559 |
| 1910-1920 | 25,655 |
| 1920-1930 | 26,841 |
| 1930-1940 | 33,011 |
| 1940-1950 | 37,288 |
| 1950-1960 | 39,540 |
| 1960-1970 | 28,621 |
| 1970-1980 | 12,614 |
| 1980-1990 | 9,323 |
| 1990-2000 | 6,390 |
| 2000-2010 | 5,440 |
| 2010-2019 | 6,046 |
| 2020-2029 | 4,608 |
Famous people named Sylvia
- Sylvia Plath: Poet, Novelist
- Sylvia Earle: Marine biologist, Oceanographer
- Sylvia Fowles: Basketball player
Nicknames
Syl, Sylvie, Silly
Fun facts
- In Roman legend, Rhea Silvia was the mother of the legendary founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus.
- The name is famous in modern literature through American poet Sylvia Plath.