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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Of the forest
- Origin
- Latin (via French Sylvain/Swedish Sylvan)
- Gender
- Boy
- Pronunciation
- SIL-van
Sylvan is a boy's name with Latin roots, passed into English use through the French Sylvain and the Swedish Sylvan. Its meaning is straightforward: of the forest. It's pronounced SIL-van, and it sits comfortably among outdoorsy, nature-inspired, free-spirited, boho name styles for parents drawn to something plain-spoken and outdoorsy.
Meaning & Origin of Sylvan
Meaning: Of the forest.
Origin: Latin (via French Sylvain/Swedish Sylvan).
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Sylvan
SIL-vanIPA /ˈsɪlvən/
Popularity of Sylvan
SSA records for Sylvan go back to 1886, and the name hit its high point in 1912 at rank #555 with 53 boys given the name. By 2024 it had drifted down to rank #1911, given to 83 boys that year.
Names Like Sylvan
These names share Sylvan’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Sylvan mean?
Of the forest. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Sylvan?
Sylvan is pronounced SIL-van (IPA: /ˈsɪlvən/).
Is Sylvan a popular name right now?
Sylvan peaked at #555 in 1912 and is ranked #1911 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1886–2024.)
Make Sylvan Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Sylvan, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Sylvan? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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