Find out how popular the first name Sylvan has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Sylvan by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Sylvan is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 92% of people named Sylvan being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 75 male babies and 11 female babies born with the name Sylvan.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 11 baby girls were named Sylvan in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Sylvan

The name Sylvan has its origins in the Latin language, derived from the word "silva," which means "forest" or "woods." This name emerged during the ancient Roman era and was initially used to refer to deities or spirits associated with the natural world, particularly those believed to inhabit forests and wooded areas.

In ancient Roman mythology, the Silvani were a group of minor deities or forest spirits that were believed to protect and oversee the woodlands. These entities were often depicted as human-like figures with horns and cloven hooves, symbolizing their connection to nature and the wilderness.

The earliest recorded use of the name Sylvan can be found in various Roman texts and inscriptions from the 1st century AD. Some notable examples include the works of the Roman poets Virgil and Ovid, who made references to Silvani and other woodland deities in their writings.

Throughout history, the name Sylvan has been associated with individuals who had a deep appreciation for nature and the outdoors. One of the earliest recorded individuals with this name was Sylvanus, a Roman poet and grammarian who lived in the 4th century AD.

In the Middle Ages, the name Sylvan was relatively uncommon, but it resurged in popularity during the Renaissance period, when there was a renewed interest in classical literature and mythology. One notable bearer of this name was Sylvanus Phillips, an English clergyman and author who lived from 1636 to 1696.

In the 18th century, the name Sylvan gained further prominence with the rise of the Romantic movement, which celebrated the beauty and sublimity of nature. One famous individual with this name was Sylvain Maréchal, a French philosopher and writer who lived from 1750 to 1803 and was known for his works on atheism and materialism.

In the 19th century, the name Sylvan was particularly popular among artists and writers who drew inspiration from the natural world. One such individual was Sylvan Boxsius, a Belgian painter who lived from 1839 to 1904 and was renowned for his landscape paintings depicting the forests and countryside of Belgium.

Another notable bearer of the name Sylvan was Sylvan Tomkins, an American psychologist and philosopher who lived from 1911 to 1991. He was best known for his work on the theory of emotion and his contributions to the field of affective science.

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 Sylvan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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