The first name Silvanus
A boy’s name from Latin meaning “forest”.
Pronounced /sɪlˈveɪnəs/ 3 syllables Male
Meaning and origin
Latin origin
Silvanus means “forest” in Latin.
From Latin Silvānus, a Latin cognomen, from silva (“forest”). The name Silas, from the early Christian apostle, was Latinized as Silvānus by Paul. Doublet of Silenus.
More names that mean forest.
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Silvanus at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 8 boys born in the United States were named Silvanus, the 9,588th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2021, when 9 were.
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.
Silvanus in other languages
Equivalent forms of the name, from Wiktionary
Nicknames and spellings
Other spellings and forms
- Sylvanus
Famous people named Silvanus
1 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Silvanus P. ThompsonBritish academic physicist (1851-1916)
More Latin boys’ names
Questions
- What does the name Silvanus mean?
- Silvanus means “forest” in Latin.
- What is the origin of the name Silvanus?
- From Latin Silvānus, a Latin cognomen, from silva (“forest”). The name Silas, from the early Christian apostle, was Latinized as Silvānus by Paul. Doublet of Silenus.
- When was Silvanus most popular?
- 2021 in the United States, when 9 babies were named Silvanus, its highest rank at 8,733rd.
- How do you pronounce Silvanus?
- Silvanus is /sɪlˈveɪnəs/, 3 syllables.
- What are other spellings of Silvanus?
- Sylvanus.