Rising since 2017, #1,235 for girls today.
Popularity of Silvia since 1884
Babies named Silvia per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1991, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Silvia's real moment was 1974.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 32 |
| 1890s | 62 |
| 1900s | 105 |
| 1910s | 321 |
| 1920s | 385 |
| 1930s | 336 |
| 1940s | 643 |
| 1950s | 1,841 |
| 1960s | 2,745 |
| 1970s | 3,225 |
| 1980s | 3,255 |
| 1990s | 3,134 |
| 2000s | 2,381 |
| 2010s | 1,771 |
| 2020s | 1,036 |
Meaning & origin
Silvia ranked 1235 in 2025, with a peak in 1974 when it was most common. The name has been rising in recent years since 2017. Its 1-in-8831 frequency reflects a relatively rare but steady presence. Top states for Silvia include Colorado, Wisconsin, and Missouri, suggesting a concentration in certain regions. The name's ties to Roman mythology through Rhea Silvia give it classical roots, while its nature-inspired meaning keeps it fresh.
Silvia is a feminine form of the Roman family name Silvius, derived from Latin silva meaning 'wood' or 'forest'. In Roman mythology, Rhea Silvia was the mother of Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome. The name has been used in various forms across Europe since the Renaissance.
Where Silvia is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Silvia” around the world
Where Silvia lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sylvie, Sil, Via
Variants: Sylvia
Sibling names for Silvia
Names that share Silvia's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Silvia
Names whose popularity has moved with Silvia's over the last 50 years.
