Find out how popular the first name Sly has been for the last 45 years (from 1978 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Sly by gender

Based on the last 45 years of data, Sly is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Sly.

The history of the first name Sly

The given name Sly has its origins in the Old English word "sleh" or "sly," which means cunning, crafty, or skillful. This name likely emerged during the Anglo-Saxon period in Britain, between the 5th and 11th centuries.

The name Sly was initially used as a descriptor or nickname for someone who was perceived as clever, sly, or sly-witted. It gradually transitioned into a given name over time. In medieval England, Sly was a relatively uncommon name, but it did appear in historical records and documents.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sly is in the 14th century poem "The Vision of William Concerning Piers Plowman" by William Langland. In this allegorical work, a character named "Sly" represents cunning and deceit. This literary reference suggests that the name was already in use and had associated meanings during the late Middle Ages.

Another early notable figure named Sly was Sir Sly John Sly, an English knight who fought in the Hundred Years' War against France during the 14th century. He was known for his strategic military prowess and cunning tactics on the battlefield.

In the 16th century, the name Sly gained some popularity among the English gentry and upper classes. One notable bearer was Sly Vavassour, a courtier and landowner from Yorkshire, who lived during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

During the Renaissance period, the English playwright William Shakespeare immortalized the name Sly in his play "The Taming of the Shrew." The play's induction features a drunken tinker named Christopher Sly, who is tricked into believing he is a nobleman. This literary reference further solidified the name's association with slyness and trickery.

In more recent centuries, the name Sly has been less common, but it has still been borne by a few notable individuals. One example is Sly Stallone, an American actor and filmmaker born in 1946, whose real name is Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone. Though his first name is not technically Sly, it became a popular nickname that he embraced throughout his career.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Sly was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Sly, please contact us.

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