Boy’s name · Latin, Aramaic

Silas

How to say it: SY-lus · /ˈsaɪləs/

From Latin 'Silvanus' meaning 'wood, forest'; also linked to Aramaic 'Shila'. A companion of Paul in the New Testament.

Silas was the 68th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 4,639 babies (Social Security Administration). The 2020s are its busiest decade so far, its births are up about 46% in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #42 by 2030.

Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures

#68for boys in 2025
1 in 611US babies
4,639born in 2025
#42projected for 2030
2020sits peak decade
1 in 26chance a classmate shares it

Key facts

Key facts about Silas
Rank among boys’ names, 2025#68
Babies born in 20254,639
Share of births1 in 611
Peak decade2020s
Change over 10 years+46%
Projected rank for 2030 (estimate)#42
In France, 2025#447 among boys’ names, 75 births

Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.

Its life, decade by decade

Use keeps building for Silas toward a new high. At its peak in the 2020s, it is anticipated to keep rising over the approaching years.

1900195020002020–25
Peak: 2,362 per million births, 2020s.

What goes with it

Hushed and breathy, it carries biblical and literary associations. Ezra feels kindred in style and Asher pairs well too.

In the classroom

In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Silas is about 1 in 26.

Around the world

This spelling is used in Danish, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Norwegian, Swedish.

In France: #447 for boys in 2025.

Famous people named Silas

From Wikidata and Wikipedia

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