Sylvan

At a Glance: Name: Sylvan – Meaning: of the forest – Origin: Latin (via French Sylvain/Swedish Sylvan) – Gender: Boy – Pronunciation: SIL-van

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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

Phonetic: SIL-van   IPA: /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.

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name 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.

Names With a Similar Story

Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.

• Orson
• Astra
• Camellia
• Celestine
• Faunee
• Floraline

FAQ

What does the name Sylvan mean?

Of the forest. (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Sylvan)

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.)

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