Sylvester

At a Glance: Name: Sylvester – Meaning: of the woods or forest – Origin: Latin – Gender: used for both boys and girls – Pronunciation: sil-VES-ter

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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

Phonetic: sil-VES-ter   IPA: /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.

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

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.

• Theodor
• Whit
• Lou
• Leana
• Oswald
• Leonora

FAQ

What does the name Sylvester mean?

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

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.)

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