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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Of the forest; forest spirit
- Origin
- Latin
- Gender
- Girl
- Pronunciation
- SIL-vee-ah
Sylvia is a Latin name meaning "of the forest" or "forest spirit," pronounced SIL-vee-ah. It's a vintage pick with an outdoorsy, nature-inspired, vintage feel that suits parents drawn to an old-fashioned name with an outdoorsy meaning behind it.
Meaning & Origin of Sylvia
Meaning: Of the forest; forest spirit.
Origin: Latin.
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Sylvia
SIL-vee-ahIPA /ˈsɪlviə/
Popularity of Sylvia
Sylvia hit its high point in 1937, when 4,371 baby girls were given the name, ranking it #50 that year. By 2024 it had cooled to #361, with 863 babies named Sylvia — still present, just far quieter than its late-1930s peak.
Names Like Sylvia
These names share Sylvia’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Sylvia mean?
Of the forest; forest spirit. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Sylvia?
Sylvia is pronounced SIL-vee-ah (IPA: /ˈsɪlviə/).
Is Sylvia a popular name right now?
Sylvia peaked at #50 in 1937 and is ranked #361 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make Sylvia Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Sylvia, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Sylvia? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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