Fun Facts About the Name Silvan
- 101 babies named Silvan: U.S. records list 101 babies given the name Silvan from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Silvan Mean?
Silvan means "of the woods" or "of the forest" and comes from Latin. It is a shortened form of the Latin name Silvanus, which was built from silva ("wood, forest, woodland") plus the suffix -anus, meaning "belonging to" or "pertaining to." In Roman religion, Silvanus was a god of woods, fields, and boundaries, and Silvanus also served as a Roman personal and family name. The English adjective sylvan (or silvan), describing a wooded place, comes from the same Latin word, but the given name goes back to the Roman name rather than to the adjective.
Silvan Name History & Origins
Silvanus was the name of a Roman rural deity who protected forests, fields, and the boundaries between farms, and it was used as a personal name across the Roman world. The name entered Christian usage early: a Silvanus appears in the New Testament as a companion of Paul, traditionally identified with Silas, and bishops and martyrs named Silvanus are recorded in the eastern Mediterranean and North Africa.
As Latin gave way to the vernacular languages, the ending -us was dropped or reshaped, producing French Sylvain and Italian and Spanish Silvano. The form Silvan, with the Latin ending dropped, is used in German-speaking Europe, including Switzerland, and in the Netherlands, where it stands beside the fuller Silvanus. In English, the given name Silvan has been much less common than the continental forms.
A separate Hebrew name, Silvan (סילבן), is also in use in Israel. Whether it is connected to the Latin-derived name, to a French form, or to a place name is not clearly established.
How Popular is the Name Silvan?
Silvan has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2024. Its best rank was #3,173 in 1956.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #8,157 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2024 | #7,641 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2023 | #8,816 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2021 | #11,920 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2020 | #7,964 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2018 | #10,580 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2017 | #13,954 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2016 | #9,543 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2015 | #11,878 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2014 | #13,765 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2011 | #12,044 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1994 | #10,040 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1956 | #3,173 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1926 | #4,745 | 5 | 0.0005% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Silvan Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are spiritually intense and can sting or charm. Your name brings love and new starts into life and attracts money. In business, you are the creator and promoter of original ideas and usually enjoy considerable financial success. You are intuitive and might be interested in the arts, drama or science.
You are seeking freedom, opportunities to enjoy life: to make love, to go places and to do things. You are very adventurous and willing to take risk to achieve your objectives. New ways and new experiences can't satisfy your restless nature. One adventure leads you to another. You are honest and fair, because you know that this is the only way to receive justice and honesty from other people. But your personal growth is vital for you, and it is difficult to be tied down by rules and obligations. Your restless spirit might best controlled by choosing the field of work that meet your demand for action and adventure.
✦ Silvan's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Silvan's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.