NameCensus.
Very Rare

Syla

A feminine name of unknown origin, possibly a variation of Sylvia.

Name Census estimates that about 176 living Americans carry the first name Syla. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Syla today is around 8 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Syla births was 2024 (30 babies).

This page is the full Name Census profile for Syla. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.

People living today

176

~ 1 in 1,947,468 Americans

Peak year

2024

30 babies that year

Average age

8

years old

2024 SSA rank

#4,639

Tracked since 2008

Popularity

Syla: popularity over time

The SSA tracks Syla from the 2000s through to the 2020s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2020s, with 90 total registrations. The name continues to be given at rates close to its all-time high, suggesting it has not yet fallen out of fashion.

Babies born per year

08152330201020152020

Decades

Syla by decade

The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Syla during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.

DecadeMaleFemaleTotal
2000s01414
2010s07373
2020s09090

Geography

Where Sylas live

Origin

Meaning and history of Syla

The name Syla has its roots in ancient Greek culture, originating from the word "sylas," which means "plunder" or "booty." It was commonly used as a name for individuals who were known for their prowess in battle and their ability to acquire spoils from conquered territories.

In the 5th century BCE, the name Syla appeared in various ancient Greek texts, including the works of Herodotus and Thucydides, where it was often associated with renowned warriors and military leaders. One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name can be found in Plutarch's "Parallel Lives," where he described a Spartan general named Syla who led his troops to victory against the Athenians during the Peloponnesian War.

During the Roman era, the name Syla gained prominence when it was adopted by the influential Roman statesman and dictator Lucius Cornelius Sulla (138-78 BCE). His military exploits and political reforms left a lasting impact on the Roman Republic, and the name Syla became synonymous with strength, ambition, and unwavering determination.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Syla. One such figure was Syla of Nicomedia (4th century CE), a renowned philosopher and mathematician who made significant contributions to the field of geometry. Another notable figure was Syla the Scribe (6th century CE), a renowned calligrapher and scholar who played a crucial role in preserving ancient Greek texts during the Byzantine era.

In the Middle Ages, the name Syla was associated with ecclesiastical figures, including Syla of Troyes (9th century CE), a Benedictine monk and scholar who wrote extensively on theology and philosophy. Additionally, Syla of Avranches (11th century CE) was a prominent Norman cleric and diplomat who served as the Archbishop of Rouen.

During the Renaissance period, the name Syla resurfaced in various artistic and literary circles. One notable figure was Syla Farnese (1520-1589), an Italian noblewoman and patron of the arts who commissioned works from renowned artists such as Michelangelo and Titian.

Throughout its long history, the name Syla has been borne by individuals from diverse backgrounds, each leaving their mark on various fields, from warfare and politics to philosophy, mathematics, and the arts. While its origins can be traced back to ancient Greece, the name Syla has transcended cultural boundaries and has been embraced by different societies, reflecting its enduring appeal and timeless essence.

People

Syla + last name combinations

How many people share a full name with Syla as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.

Related

Other names starting with S

Other first names starting with S with a similar number of bearers.

FAQ

Syla: questions and answers

How many people in the U.S. are named Syla?

Name Census puts the figure at roughly 176 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Syla going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 1,947,468 US residents.

Is Syla a common name?

We classify Syla as "Very Rare". It ranks above 72.5% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 177 babies have been registered with this name.

When was Syla most popular?

The single biggest year for Syla was 2024, when 30 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Syla is about 8 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.

What does the SSA popularity chart show?

The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Syla in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.

Is Syla a female name?

Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Syla in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.

Is Syla still being used today?

Yes. The SSA still recorded Syla in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.

Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?

Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Syla can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.

Where does this data come from?

First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.

Does every first name have Census demographic data?

No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.

How many people share the name Syla?

Want to know how many Americans are named Syla? HowManyOfMe.org, our sister site, puts the living-bearer count front and centre.

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There are 176 people

with the first name

Syla

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