"of the forest, wood-dweller"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Sylas
Does Sylas flow with your last name?
An ancient forest name finding new roots
English
American
Earthy
Modern
Strong
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Unique
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Sylas
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"asked of God"
Origin: Hebrew/Aramaic
Language: English
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The Story of Sylas
Sylas is an alternate spelling of Silas, derived from the Latin 'Silvanus,' the Roman god of forests and fields. The name also appears in the New Testament as a companion of the apostle Paul. The spelling Sylas emerged as a modern variant, giving the name a fresh visual identity while preserving its ancient roots in nature and faith.
Silas and its variant Sylas have risen sharply since the 2010s, fueled by parents seeking nature-adjacent names with biblical heritage. The TV drama Weeds featured a character named Silas, and the name appeared in numerous Young Adult novels, contributing to its modern appeal.
Silas/Sylas carries strong resonances in American Protestant communities through the biblical Silas, a missionary companion of Paul. George Eliot's novel Silas Marner (1861) gave the name literary prestige in the 19th century. The forest-deity origin appeals to contemporary parents drawn to nature names.
Historical Record
Sylas first appeared in US Social Security records in 1975.
Over 8,160 babies have been named Sylas in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Sylas is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #488 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Silvanus was the Roman god specifically of uncultivated forests and wilderness
- Silas is mentioned 13 times in the New Testament as a trusted partner of Paul
Sylas in Other Languages
French
Silvain
German
Silvanus
Italian
Silvano
Spanish
Silvano
Portuguese
Silvano
Popularity Over Time
#488
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Sylas
S
Silas Marner Fictional
Other
Protagonist of George Eliot's 1861 novel, a weaver who finds redemption through an orphaned child
S
Silas (The Vampire Diaries) Fictional
Other
Powerful immortal antagonist in the TV series The Vampire Diaries
S
Silas Black Fictional
Other
Background character in the Harry Potter universe, ancestor of Sirius Black
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Compare Sylas with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #488
- Total SSA Count
- 633
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Sy
Si
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Sylas
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Sylas is also used as a girl name, ranked #12085.
View Sylas as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Middle English origin
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Old English (suð + tun) origin
"southern settlement, south farm"
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Kyle
Boy
Scottish Gaelic (caol) origin
"narrow strait, channel"
#440 in US
Kane
Boy
Irish Gaelic origin
"battle, warrior"
#432 in US
Alden
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Old English origin
"old friend, noble friend"
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Latin origin
"man of laurels, from Laurentum"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sylas
What does the name Sylas mean?
"of the forest, wood-dweller" (from Latin). "asked of God" (from Hebrew/Aramaic). Sylas is an alternate spelling of Silas, derived from the Latin 'Silvanus,' the Roman god of forests and fields. The name also appears in the New Testament as a companion of the apostle Paul. The spelling Sylas emerged as a modern variant, giving the name a fresh visual identity while preserving its ancient roots in nature and faith.
What is the origin of the name Sylas?
Sylas has Latin, Hebrew/Aramaic, English, and American origins. In Latin, it means "of the forest, wood-dweller". In Hebrew/Aramaic, it means "asked of God".
Is Sylas a boy or girl name?
Sylas is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #488. As a girl name, it is ranked #12085. Sylas is more commonly used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Sylas?
Sylas is currently ranked #488 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Sylas?
Popular middle name pairings include Sylas James, Sylas Cole, Sylas Reed, Sylas Grey, Sylas John, Sylas Thomas, and Sylas Finn.
What are good sibling names for Sylas?
Names that pair well with Sylas as siblings include Isla, Rowan, Hazel, Callum, Fern, Jasper, and Wren.
How many syllables does Sylas have?
Sylas has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Sylas a common or rare name?
Sylas is a popular name, ranked #488 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Sylas
Sylas is a boy name with English and American origins . The name means "of the forest, wood-dweller" in Latin .
Is Sylas a boy or girl name? Sylas is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #488 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #12,085. Sylas is more commonly used as a boy name.
Sylas is currently ranked #488 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Sylas has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Sylas include Sy and Si. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis