How Many People Are Named Sylvester?
Complete statistics for the name Sylvester: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Sylvester comes from the Latin word for forest or woodland, and it's a name with serious old-school pedigree. About 17,747 people in the US carry it today, making it quite rare at just 1 in 18,595 Americans. Perhaps the most striking thing is how heavily it skews older, with the vast majority of living Sylvesters well into their senior years.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life path number 1 is traditionally associated with leadership, independence, and a pioneering spirit. Those with number 1 are seen as self-reliant individuals who forge their own path rather than following the crowd.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 82All 43,703 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1920Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Stable
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Sylvester Through the Generations
Sylvester peaked back in 1920, when 819 babies were given the name in a single year, and it's been fading ever since. Of the roughly 43,703 born in the US across all recorded history, only 17,747 are estimated to be alive today. That gap makes sense given the average age sits at 82. A full 81% of living Sylvesters are over 60, which is a striking skew even for a classic name. Only 2,015 are under 30, compared to 35,281 over 60, so this really is a name carried almost entirely by older generations. It's holding steady rather than collapsing entirely, which suggests a small but loyal base of parents still choose it, perhaps drawn to its vintage feel. But it's genuinely rare now, and the numbers reflect a name that had its moment a century ago and hasn't found its way back into fashion since.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Sylvester's Latin roots
📄 About the Name Sylvester
How Many People Have the Name Sylvester?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 18,019 people in the United States currently share the name Sylvester. That works out to roughly 1 in every 18,394 Americans, placing it in the Rare category.
Is Sylvester a Common or Rare Name?
Sylvester is classified as Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Sylvester Mean?
Sylvester means "of the forest or woodland" and comes from Latin origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 1.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Sylvester in SSA data, approximately 99% are male and 1% are female.
When Was Sylvester Most Popular?
The name Sylvester reached peak popularity in 1920, with 819 babies registered that year. Current trend: Stable.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Sylvester?
Approximately 18,019 people named Sylvester live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 18,019. That works out to roughly 1 in 18,394 Americans.
Is Sylvester a rare name?
Sylvester is classified as Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 18,394 Americans has this name.
What does the name Sylvester mean?
Sylvester means "of the forest or woodland" and comes from Latin origins.
Is Sylvester more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 99% of people named Sylvester are male and 1% are female.
When was Sylvester most popular?
Sylvester peaked in 1920 with 819 births that year. Current trend: Stable.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.