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    The first name Silas

    A boy’s name from Aramaic meaning “saul”.

    Pronounced /ˈsaɪ.ləs/ 2 syllables Male Also a surname

    Meaning and origin

    Aramaic origin

    Silas means “saul” in Aramaic.

    From Latin Sīlās, from Ancient Greek Σίλας (Sílas), from Aramaic שְׁאִילָא (šəʾīlā), cognate of Hebrew שָׁאוּל (šāʾūl, “Saul”). Doublet of Saul.

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    In 2025, 66 boys were named Silas, making it the 585th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2024, with 85 births (#468).

    04590 1996200020052010201520202025
    1,026
    babies named Silas, 1996–2025
    #585
    rank in 2025
    2024
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Silas with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Silas at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2025, 4,639 boys born in the United States were named Silas, the 71st most popular boys’ name that year.

    02,5005,000 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    75,649
    babies named Silas since 1880
    #71
    rank in 2025
    2025
    peak year

    US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

    Silas in other languages

    Equivalent forms of the name, from Wiktionary

    賽拉斯 /赛拉斯
    Sàilāsī
    Chinese
    Sīlās
    Latin

    Spelled Silas in Danish, Dutch, Portuguese and Spanish too.

    Nicknames and spellings

    Nicknames for Silas

    • Si
    • Sy

    Famous people named Silas

    19 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Silas Weir Mitchell
      American actor, born 1970
    • Silas Katompa Mvumpa
      DR Congolese footballer, born 1998
    • Silas Carson
      English actor, born 1965
    • Silas Weir Mitchell
      American physician (1829–1914)
    • Silas Deane
      American politician (1737-1789)
    • Silas Wright
      American politician (1795-1847)
    • Silas Atopare
      7th governor-general of Papua New Guinea (1951–2021)
    • Silas Gnaka
      Association football player, born 1998
    • Silas Araújo da Silva
      Brazilian footballer, born 1996
    • Silas Aaron Hardoon
      Chinese Jewish businessman, 1851–1931
    • Silas Garber
      American politician (1833-1905)
    • Silas A. Holcomb
      American politician (1858-1920)

    Questions

    What does the name Silas mean?
    Silas means “saul” in Aramaic.
    What is the origin of the name Silas?
    From Latin Sīlās, from Ancient Greek Σίλας (Sílas), from Aramaic שְׁאִילָא (šəʾīlā), cognate of Hebrew שָׁאוּל (šāʾūl, “Saul”). Doublet of Saul.
    How popular is the name Silas?
    In 2025, 66 boys born in England and Wales were named Silas, ranking 585th. Its peak was 2024, with 85 births.
    What are nicknames for Silas?
    Common nicknames for Silas include Si, Sy.
    Is Silas a boy's or a girl's name?
    Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 75,649 US babies named Silas since 1880 were boys.
    When was Silas most popular?
    2025 in the United States, when 4,639 babies were named Silas, its highest rank at 71st.
    How do you pronounce Silas?
    Silas is /ˈsaɪ.ləs/, 2 syllables.
    Is Silas also a surname?
    Yes. Silas is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.