Sylvia Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Sylvia is predominantly used for girls. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Sylvia?
Sylvia is spelled S-Y-L-V-I-A. The name has 6 letters.
Sylvia at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for girls
- Meaning
- Sylvia means “from the forest” or “woodland”, deriving from the Latin word “silva” for “forest.”
- Origin
- Sylvia is commonly associated with Latin origins, deriving from the word “silva” meaning forest or woods.
- Pronunciation
- SIL-vee-uh · 3 syllables
Sylvia Popularity in 2025
Rank#300
Recorded Births1,017
- Girls usage rose 61 places to #300 and recorded 149 more births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Sylvia Mean?
Sylvia means “from the forest” or “woodland”, deriving from the Latin word “silva” for “forest.”
Origin: Sylvia is commonly associated with Latin origins, deriving from the word “silva” meaning forest or woods.
How Do You Pronounce Sylvia?
PronunciationSIL-vee-uh
Syllables3
What Is the History of the Name Sylvia?
- History
- The name Sylvia has been used in various historical texts and literature, often symbolizing nature or woodland settings.
Sylvia Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2002 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | 1,017 | #300 |
| 2024 | Girls | 868 | #361 |
| 2023 | Girls | 724 | #427 |
| 2022 | Girls | 720 | #437 |
| 2021 | Girls | 673 | #465 |
| 2020 | Girls | 606 | #501 |
| 2019 | Girls | 616 | #510 |
| 2018 | Girls | 633 | #492 |
| 2017 | Girls | 647 | #482 |
| 2016 | Girls | 622 | #502 |
| 2015 | Girls | 662 | #484 |
| 2014 | Girls | 638 | #490 |
| 2013 | Girls | 594 | #507 |
| 2012 | Girls | 578 | #525 |
| 2011 | Girls | 531 | #550 |
| 2010 | Girls | 525 | #557 |
| 2009 | Girls | 555 | #548 |
| 2008 | Girls | 556 | #554 |
| 2007 | Girls | 588 | #532 |
| 2006 | Girls | 581 | #520 |
| 2005 | Girls | 547 | #528 |
| 2004 | Girls | 513 | #556 |
| 2003 | Girls | 504 | #550 |
| 2002 | Girls | 535 | #513 |
When Was Sylvia Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1937 · Girls
4,371 recorded births
National rank #50
1957 · Girls
4,310 recorded births
National rank #109
1938 · Girls
4,259 recorded births
National rank #56
1958 · Girls
4,156 recorded births
National rank #114
Where Sylvia Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Girls
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| MN | #119 | 44 |
| PA | #139 | 75 |
| RI | #150 | 6 |
| WI | #154 | 34 |
| WV | #154 | 10 |
| OR | #158 | 22 |
| NH | #174 | 7 |
| MI | #183 | 48 |