UK boy's name
Silvan
Of Latin origin, meaning "of the woods" or "forest dweller".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2014. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Silvan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Silvan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2014 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4632, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2014, with 3 births.
This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2014 to 2014. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
Silvan is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Silvan. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2015 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Silvan ranked #4632 for boys in England and Wales in 2014, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2014, when 3 boys were registered as Silvan.
- • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Silvan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4632
2014
Births in 2014
3
Latest year
Peak year
2014
3 births
Estimated living
3
2026
Meaning
What does Silvan mean?
The name Silvan has its roots in Latin, originating from the word "silva" which means "forest" or "woods." It was initially used as a descriptive term to refer to someone who lived in or near a forested area. The earliest recorded use of the name dates back to the Roman era, where it was a relatively common name among the rural population.
During the Middle Ages, the name Silvan gained popularity across Europe, particularly in regions with significant woodland areas. It was often associated with occupations related to forestry, such as woodsmen, foresters, or hunters. The name also carried a sense of connection with nature and the outdoors.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Silvan was a 6th-century Frankish abbot and saint, known as Saint Silvan of Auchy. He is venerated in the Catholic Church for his piety and dedication to monastic life. Another notable figure was Silvan, a 7th-century Byzantine monk and theologian who played a significant role in the Monothelite controversy.
In the 11th century, Silvan of Reims was a renowned French scholar and teacher who served as the chancellor of the Cathedral School of Reims. His writings on grammar and rhetoric were highly influential during his time.
Moving forward to the 16th century, Silvan Edelbach (1517-1554) was a German Protestant reformer and theologian who worked alongside Martin Luther and Philip Melanchthon. He played a crucial role in the spread of the Reformation in Germany.
Another historical figure with the name Silvan was Silvan Joubert (1528-1581), a French physician and philosopher. He is best known for his work "Traité du Ris" (Treatise on Laughter), which explored the physiological and psychological aspects of laughter.
Throughout history, the name Silvan has been associated with individuals who had a close connection with nature, whether through their occupations, religious beliefs, or intellectual pursuits. While it may not be as commonly used today, the name still carries a sense of simplicity, earthiness, and a reverence for the natural world.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Silvan by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Silvan was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4632 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Silvan
- Samuel 108,505
- Sebastian 33,008
- Sam 20,889
- Stanley 16,354
- Sonny 15,028
- Sean 15,006
- Scott 12,587
- Seth 9,841
- Syed 9,050
- Stephen 8,884
- Spencer 8,333
- Steven 6,970
FAQ
Silvan: questions and answers
How popular is the name Silvan in the UK right now?
In 2014, Silvan was ranked #4632 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Silvan most popular?
The peak year on record was 2014, with 3 babies registered as Silvan in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Silvan?
Of Latin origin, meaning "of the woods" or "forest dweller".
How many people are called Silvan in the UK?
A total of 3 babies have been registered as Silvan across the 1 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.