UK boy's name
Sylar
A name of unknown origin, potentially derived from syllables meaning "possessor" or "keeper".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2016. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Sylar is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Sylar popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2016 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4810, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2009, with 4 births.
This profile covers 11 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 2009 to 2016. 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.
The latest count is about 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 11 living people in the UK are called Sylar. 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 2017 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Sylar ranked #4810 for boys in England and Wales in 2016, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2009, when 4 boys were registered as Sylar.
- • About 11 living people in the UK are estimated to have Sylar as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4810
2016
Births in 2016
3
Latest year
Peak year
2009
4 births
Estimated living
11
2026
Meaning
What does Sylar mean?
The name Sylar has its origins in the ancient Sumerian language, one of the earliest known written languages that emerged in Mesopotamia around 3500 BC. It is believed to be derived from the Sumerian word "silaru," which translates to "sky" or "heavens." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with celestial or divine connotations.
Historically, the name Sylar has been recorded in various ancient Mesopotamian texts and inscriptions, including cuneiform tablets and clay cylinders. Some scholars have suggested that it may have been the name of a minor deity or celestial figure in the Sumerian pantheon, though definitive evidence is scarce.
One of the earliest known individuals bearing the name Sylar was a high-ranking priest who lived in the city-state of Uruk around 2500 BC. His name was inscribed on a clay tablet discovered in the ruins of a temple dedicated to the goddess Inanna, indicating his prominent role in the religious and cultural life of the time.
In the 7th century BC, there are records of a Babylonian astronomer named Sylar who made significant contributions to the study of celestial bodies and the development of early astronomical calculations. His work was later referenced and built upon by Greek and Arab scholars during the classical period.
During the medieval era, a Persian poet and philosopher named Sylar al-Din (born in 1120 AD) gained renown for his poetic works and philosophical treatises. His name, which incorporates the Arabic form of Sylar, reflects the cross-cultural influence and spread of the name across various regions and civilizations.
Another notable figure with the name Sylar was a 16th-century Ottoman admiral and naval commander named Sylar Reis (1472-1554). He played a crucial role in the Ottoman Empire's naval campaigns and is credited with leading numerous successful maritime expeditions in the Mediterranean and Red Sea regions.
In the 19th century, a German composer and pianist named Sylar Scharwenka (1850-1924) achieved recognition for his contributions to the Romantic era of classical music. His compositions, particularly his piano works, were highly regarded and performed throughout Europe during his lifetime.
While the name Sylar has not been as widely popular in modern times, it remains a unique and intriguing moniker with a rich historical background rooted in ancient Mesopotamian cultures and their celestial associations.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Sylar over time
The chart below shows babies named Sylar registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2009 to 2016. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Sylar, the clearest high point is 2009. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2016, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Sylar by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Sylar 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 | #4316 | 7 | 2 |
| 2000s | #3744 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Sylar
- 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
Sylar: questions and answers
How popular is the name Sylar in the UK right now?
In 2016, Sylar was ranked #4810 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Sylar most popular?
The peak year on record was 2009, with 4 babies registered as Sylar in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Sylar?
A name of unknown origin, potentially derived from syllables meaning "possessor" or "keeper".
How many people are called Sylar in the UK?
A total of 11 babies have been registered as Sylar across the 3 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.