Sylvester

Q: What is the origin of Sylvester?

Sylvester is of Latin origin. The name carries significant cultural meaning and has been used across generations within its origin tradition.

Q: How popular is the name Sylvester?

According to the latest SSA data, Sylvester is currently ranked #999999 in the United States. The popularity of this name has evolved over the past century based on cultural preferences and naming trends.

Q: Is Sylvester a girl name?

Sylvester is traditionally a girl name. Modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal choice and cultural context.

female

Updated 6 months ago

Meaning

"Of the Forest"

From Latin silvestris meaning woodland, the name is supported by early Christian saint usage and long European continuity.

Themes:forestromansaint

Biblical Nature Natural Unique Rare

Fact-checked by Sarah Mitchell

B.A. Journalism, Northwestern University10+ Years Parenting WritingMom of Three • Parenting Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Sylvester

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

UnrankedNot ranked in 2024

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Year

Selected Year Rank

Unranked

Sylvester did not appear in the national SSA rankings for 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year

no national rank in 2024

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Sylvester Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Sylvester.

9 ideas

Sylv

Nickname

sylvie

Nickname

sylvo

Nickname

ster

Nickname

tery

Nickname

ssie

Nickname

lvey

Nickname

Similar Names to Sylvester

female

Anna

AN-uh

“Grace; Favor”

#94

|Hebrew

female

Ashley

“Ash Tree Clearing”

#124

|English

female

Amanda

uh-MAN-duh

“Worthy of Love”

#496

|Latin

female

Amy

AY-mee

“Beloved”

#228

|French

female

Angela

AN-juh-luh

“Messenger; Angel”

#282

|Greek

female

Ann

“Grace, Favor”

#1141

|Hebrew

female

Abigail

AB-ih-gayl

“My Father Is Joy”

#32

|Hebrew

female

Amber

“Amber Resin”

#541

|Arabic

female

Annie

“Grace, Favor”

#191

|Hebrew

female

Ava

AY-vuh

“Birdlike; Life”

|Germanic

Baby Name Lists That Include Sylvester

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Sylvester, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

20 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Sylvester mean?

Sylvester means "Of the Forest". From Latin silvestris meaning woodland, the name is supported by early Christian saint usage and long European continuit

What is the origin of Sylvester?

Sylvester is of Latin origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.

How popular is the name Sylvester?

According to the latest SSA data, Sylvester is currently not ranked in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.

Is Sylvester a girl name?

Sylvester is traditionally a girl name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.

What are good nicknames for Sylvester?

Popular nicknames for Sylvester include Sylv, sylvie, sylvo, ster, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.

What names are similar to Sylvester?

There are many names similar to Sylvester in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginLatin

Syllables3

Length9 letters

Trend→ Stable

Starts withS

Sibling Ideas

Brothers

Anton Antony Austen Antone Artis

Sisters

Antonia Alta Avis Augusta Adrian

Explore More Girl Names Like Sylvester

Sylvester has Latin roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Latin baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Sylvester appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Names That Mean Nature and Earth-Inspired Nature Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Unique Baby Names and Biblical Baby Names.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Sylvester pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Sylvester beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.