Sylvia
Sylvia is a Christian girl name of Latin origin, meaning “Of the forest”.
| Meaning | Of the forest |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girl |
| Origin | Latin |
| Pronunciation | SIL-vee-uh |
| Tradition | Christian, Modern & Classic |
| Used in | United Kingdom, United States, Italy, Germany |
Meaning and origin of Sylvia
Sylvia comes from Latin silva, 'wood' or 'forest'. In Roman legend Rhea Silvia was the mother of Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome. The name was revived during the Renaissance and became fashionable in English after Shakespeare used it in The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Famous bearers include poet Sylvia Plath and Queen Silvia of Sweden. The spelling with y is the usual English form.
Is Sylvia a Christian name?
Sylvia is not a biblical name. It has Christian use through Saint Silvia, mother of Pope Gregory the Great, but is mostly treated as a classic secular name.
How popular is Sylvia?
A vintage name that has been making a modest comeback in English-speaking countries.
Gifts with the name Sylvia
- Sylvia name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Sylvia baby gifts (Amazon)
- Christian baby gifts & books (Amazon)
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We may earn a small commission from these links, at no extra cost to you.
Spellings and variants of Sylvia
Names similar to Sylvia
More Christian girl names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sylvia mean?
Sylvia means 'Of the forest'. It is of Latin origin.
Is Sylvia a Christian name?
Sylvia is not a biblical name. It has Christian use through Saint Silvia, mother of Pope Gregory the Great, but is mostly treated as a classic secular name.
How do you pronounce Sylvia?
Sylvia is pronounced SIL-vee-uh.
Is Sylvia a boy or girl name?
Sylvia is usually a girl name.