How Many People Are Named Sylvia?
Complete statistics for the name Sylvia: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Sylvia comes from the Latin word for forest, linked to the Roman goddess of the wild, and it's a name with real staying power. About 132,039 people named Sylvia are living in the US today, making it genuinely rare at 1 in 2,499 Americans. What's striking is just how concentrated this name is in older generations, with its peak way back in 1937.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life path number 7 is associated with deep thinking, intuition, and a search for inner truth. People connected to 7 are often seen as introspective and spiritually curious, drawn to wisdom over material pursuits.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 77All 244,868 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: 1937Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Rising
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Sylvia Through the Generations
Sylvia hit its high point in 1937 with 4,389 births in a single year, and that tells you a lot about where most living Sylvias are in life right now. A striking 79% of them are over 60, and the average age sits at 77, so this is very much a name belonging to the Greatest Generation and Silent Generation crowd. Of the 132,039 Sylvias alive today, only 16,677 are under 30, compared to 192,875 who are over 60. That's a lopsided picture. The gap between all-time births of 244,868 and the living count of 132,039 reflects just how far back the name's popularity stretches. Many who carried it simply aren't with us anymore. The trend is rising though, which is the genuinely surprising part. After decades of decline, younger parents are rediscovering it, and that under-30 group, while small, hints at a quiet comeback for this old-school classic.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
⭐ Famous People Named Sylvia
Sylvia is a feminine given name of Latin origin. The French form is Sylvie. The name originates from the Latin word for forest Silva and its meaning is spirit of the wood. The mythological god of the forest was associated with the figure of Silvanus.…
Full list on Wikipedia →🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Sylvia's Latin roots
📄 About the Name Sylvia
How Many People Have the Name Sylvia?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 5,266 people in the United States currently share the name Sylvia. That works out to roughly 1 in every 62,941 Americans, placing it in the Rare category.
Is Sylvia a Common or Rare Name?
Sylvia 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 Sylvia Mean?
Sylvia means "of the forest, woodland spirit" and comes from Latin origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 7.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Sylvia in SSA data, approximately 0% are male and 100% are female.
When Was Sylvia Most Popular?
The name Sylvia reached peak popularity in 1937, with 4,389 babies registered that year. Current trend: Rising.
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 Sylvia?
Approximately 5,266 people named Sylvia live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 5,266. That works out to roughly 1 in 62,941 Americans.
Is Sylvia a rare name?
Sylvia is classified as Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 62,941 Americans has this name.
What does the name Sylvia mean?
Sylvia means "of the forest, woodland spirit" and comes from Latin origins.
Is Sylvia more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 0% of people named Sylvia are male and 100% are female.
When was Sylvia most popular?
Sylvia peaked in 1937 with 4,389 births that year. Current trend: Rising.
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.