Silvia

girlLatinChristian

Silvia is a Christian girl name of Latin origin, meaning “Of the forest”.

MeaningOf the forest
GenderGirl
OriginLatin
PronunciationSEEL-vyah
TraditionChristian, Modern & Classic
Used inItaly, Spain, Argentina, Mexico

Meaning and origin of Silvia

Silvia comes from the Latin 'silva', forest or wood. In Roman legend Rhea Silvia was the mother of Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome. The name passed into Christian use through Saint Silvia, the mother of Pope Gregory the Great. It is common across Italy, Spain and Latin America, while the Sylvia spelling is more usual in English and German. Queen Silvia of Sweden is a well-known bearer.

Is Silvia a Christian name?

Saint Silvia, mother of Gregory the Great, is honoured in Catholic tradition, though the name itself is not biblical.

How popular is Silvia?

A familiar classic in Italy and the Spanish-speaking world.

Gifts with the name Silvia

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Spellings and variants of Silvia

Names similar to Silvia

More Christian girl names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Silvia mean?

Silvia means 'Of the forest'. It is of Latin origin.

Is Silvia a Christian name?

Saint Silvia, mother of Gregory the Great, is honoured in Catholic tradition, though the name itself is not biblical.

How do you pronounce Silvia?

Silvia is pronounced SEEL-vyah.

Is Silvia a boy or girl name?

Silvia is usually a girl name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.