Sylvia
How to say it: SIL-vee-uh · /ˈsɪlviə/
From Latin 'silva' meaning forest or woodland. Associated with the forest and nature in Roman mythology.
Sylvia was the 280th most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 1,017 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1930s, its births are up about 44% in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #223 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #280 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 1,017 |
| Share of births | 1 in 2,765 |
| Peak decade | 1930s |
| Change over 10 years | +44% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #223 |
| In France, 2025 | #1,126 among girls’ names, 5 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Long established, Sylvia crested back in the 1930s and now sits far below that high. Still well used, it appears ready to climb a little.
What goes with it
Leafy and breathy, Sylvia carries a natural literary charm. Violet would pair beautifully.
Middle names that flow with Sylvia →
Parents who love Sylvia also love
Nicknames
- Syl
- Silvy
- Via
Honouring a Sylvia in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Sylvia is about 1 in 116.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Norwegian, Swedish.
In France: #1,126 for girls in 2025.
England and Wales: #430.
Famous people named Sylvia
- Sylvia Plath (1932–1963)American poet and writer
- Sylvia A. Earle (born 1935)American oceanographer
- Sylvia Kristel (1952–2012)Dutch actress, model, recording artist
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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