Sylvan

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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.

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