Sylvania
From sylvan (“silva, forest”) + -ia (suffix forming placenames).
Every Sylvania since 1881 — 546 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Sylvania
Sylvania is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1881, 546 American babies have been named Sylvania. Its peak came in 1915, when 18 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Sylvania stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Sylvania year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | 7 | #7,857 |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | 5 | #7,190 |
| 1955 | 10 | #4,028 |
| 1950 | 10 | #3,639 |
| 1945 | 6 | #4,498 |
| 1940 | 5 | #4,962 |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | 7 | #4,003 |
| 1925 | 8 | #3,991 |
| 1920 | 13 | #2,715 |
| 1915 | 18 | #1,876 |
| 1910 | 5 | #2,746 |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | 7 | #1,413 |
| 1890 | 5 | #1,510 |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sylvania mean?
From sylvan (“silva, forest”) + -ia (suffix forming placenames).
How popular is the name Sylvania in 2025?
Sylvania did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Sylvania?
546 babies have been named Sylvania in the United States since 1881, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Sylvania most popular?
Sylvania peaked in 1915, when 18 newborns received the name.
Is Sylvania a boy or girl name?
Sylvania is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Sylvania rising or falling?
Sylvania has been roughly stable over the past decade.