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Sylvester Boy

Popularity: #853 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

Pronunciationsil-VES-ter / /sɪlˈvɛstər/

Latin; English

Meaning

Latin: 'wooded' or 'of the forest'; English: 'sylvan'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Sylvester has its roots in the Latin word "silvester," which means "wooded" or "wild." This term is derived from "silva," meaning "forest" or "wood." The name entered the English language through Old French, where it was adopted as "Silvestre" before being anglicized to Sylvester. The transition into English occurred during the Middle Ages, a period marked by the influence of Latin on the vernacular languages of Europe, particularly after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century.

Historically, the name Sylvester is most notably associated with Saint Sylvester, a pope who served from 314 to 335 CE. He is recognized for his role during the early Christian Church and is often credited with overseeing the construction of the first churches in Rome. His feast day is celebrated on December 31, which is also associated with the New Year's Eve festivities in various cultures. The name gained further prominence through the Latin Vulgate, the early 5th-century Latin translation of the Bible, which helped to solidify its use in Christian contexts.

Culturally, Sylvester has been embraced in various traditions, often symbolizing strength and resilience, akin to the enduring nature of forests. The name has been borne by several notable historical figures, including Sylvester II, a pope in the early 11th century known for his scholarly contributions and efforts to reform the church. Additionally, the name has appeared in literature and folklore, reinforcing its association with wisdom and nature. The diminutive form "Sly" has also emerged in some contexts, reflecting a more informal or affectionate usage, though it is less commonly noted in historical texts.

Trend Summary

Sylvester has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, with a notable decline since the mid-20th century.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Silvester

International Variants

  • Silvestre (Spanish)
  • Silvestro (Italian)
  • Silvestre (Portuguese)

Famous people named Sylvester

Sylvester Stallone is an actor, director, and screenwriter best known for Rocky, Rambo, and The Expendables.

Sylvester McCoy is an actor best known for Doctor Who, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, and The Last Enemy.

Fictional characters named Sylvester

Sylvester the Cat is a fictional character from the animated series Looney Tunes. He is a comical cat known for his attempts to catch Tweety Bird, often resulting in humorous failures.

Sylvester is a fictional character from the children's book series Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig. He is a young donkey who discovers a magic pebble that grants wishes, leading to a series of adventures and lessons about family and safety.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Sylvester was first seen in the United States in 1880. Sylvester has ranked as high as #386 nationally, which occurred in 1920, and has been most popular in Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. In the past 5 years the name Sylvester has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Sylvester (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 6
50%
TX 6
50%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188089
188176
188274
188369
188467
188582
188673
188771
188883
1889112
189093
189164
189298
189385
1894101
189599
1896111
1897111
1898115
189994
1900131
1901120
1902135
1903114
1904124
1905126
1906125
1907151
1908166
1909151
1910200
1911219
1912348
1913464
1914538
1915706
1916715
1917715
1918766
1919749
1920807
1921755
1922707
1923727
1924708
1925690
1926687
1927611
1928599
1929570
1930599
1931525
1932561
1933495
1934497
1935529
1936482
1937476
1938503
1939471
1940462
1941537
1942498
1943501
1944534
1945508
1946538
1947596
1948600
1949588
1950643
1951640
1952603
1953635
1954639
1955644
1956621
1957604
1958582
1959559
1960504
1961517
1962467
1963454
1964389
1965388
1966326
1967294
1968259
1969242
1970244
1971291
1972224
1973241
1974195
1975218
1976190
1977217
1978223
1979249
1980204
1981215
1982218
1983184
1984209
1985194
1986199
1987199
1988203
1989193
1990203
1991135
1992115
1993143
1994132
1995121
199690
1997103
199880
199991
200090
200180
200278
200383
200464
200567
200677
200762
200867
200967
201062
201160
201257
201376
201475
201573
201667
201767
201866
201974
202052
202168
202271
202367
202471