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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Of the woods or forest
- Origin
- Latin
- Gender
- Used for both boys and girls
- Pronunciation
- sil-VES-ter
Sylvester is a Latin name meaning "of the woods or forest," giving it an earthy, old-world feel. It's a name with real history behind it, having appeared in U.S. Social Security records for well over a century, from 1880 through 2024. For parents drawn to nature-rooted meanings with a classic, established pedigree, it's worth a look.
Meaning & Origin of Sylvester
Meaning: Of the woods or forest.
Origin: Latin.
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Sylvester
sil-VES-terIPA /sɪlˈvɛstər/
Popularity of Sylvester
Sylvester had its heyday back in 1889, when it ranked #127 with 112 babies given the name. Since then it's faded considerably, landing at #2108 in 2024 with just 71 boys named Sylvester that year.
Names Like Sylvester
These names have followed a similar path to Sylvester in U.S. popularity over the years.
FAQ
What does the name Sylvester mean?
Of the woods or forest. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Sylvester?
Sylvester is pronounced sil-VES-ter (IPA: /sɪlˈvɛstər/).
Is Sylvester a popular name right now?
Sylvester peaked at #127 in 1889 and is ranked #2108 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make Sylvester Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Sylvester, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Sylvester? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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