Sylvan
Every Sylvan since 1886 — 3,813 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Sylvan
Sylvan is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #1,674 in 2025 with 99 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1886, 3,813 American babies have been named Sylvan. Its peak came in 2025, when 111 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
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 Sylvan stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Sylvan year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | #8,811 | 99 | #1,674 |
| 2024 | 15 | #7,558 | 84 | #1,901 |
| 2023 | 11 | #9,533 | 75 | #2,029 |
| 2022 | 8 | #12,126 | 80 | #1,950 |
| 2021 | 9 | #11,065 | 64 | #2,219 |
| 2020 | 7 | #13,325 | 45 | #2,751 |
| 2019 | — | — | 48 | #2,690 |
| 2018 | 11 | #9,745 | 32 | #3,511 |
| 2017 | — | — | 35 | #3,305 |
| 2016 | — | — | 43 | #2,834 |
| 2015 | 8 | #12,884 | 25 | #4,160 |
| 2014 | — | — | 35 | #3,215 |
| 2013 | 5 | #18,969 | 29 | #3,650 |
| 2012 | — | — | 31 | #3,517 |
| 2011 | — | — | 25 | #4,091 |
| 2010 | — | — | 27 | #3,887 |
| 2009 | 8 | #13,552 | 20 | #4,901 |
| 2008 | — | — | 20 | #4,874 |
| 2007 | — | — | 18 | #5,184 |
| 2006 | 7 | #14,971 | 25 | #3,981 |
| 2005 | — | — | 18 | #4,798 |
| 2004 | 5 | #18,489 | 21 | #4,249 |
| 2003 | 6 | #15,545 | 20 | #4,259 |
| 2002 | 5 | #17,787 | 29 | #3,178 |
| 2001 | — | — | 22 | #3,827 |
| 2000 | 6 | #14,806 | 22 | #3,745 |
| 1995 | — | — | 12 | #5,083 |
| 1990 | — | — | 15 | #3,942 |
| 1985 | — | — | 14 | #3,370 |
| 1980 | — | — | 14 | #3,232 |
| 1975 | — | — | 18 | #2,440 |
| 1970 | — | — | 5 | #5,354 |
| 1965 | — | — | 5 | #4,367 |
| 1960 | — | — | 18 | #1,966 |
| 1955 | — | — | 11 | #2,537 |
| 1950 | — | — | 25 | #1,496 |
| 1945 | — | — | 19 | #1,572 |
| 1940 | — | — | 32 | #1,206 |
| 1935 | — | — | 44 | #966 |
| 1930 | — | — | 47 | #1,004 |
| 1925 | — | — | 80 | #728 |
| 1920 | — | — | 68 | #814 |
| 1915 | — | — | 66 | #740 |
| 1910 | — | — | 11 | #1,035 |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | 12 | #780 |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Sylvan
- Sylvan Ebanks-Blake Soccer player · b. 1986
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Sylvan in 2025?
Sylvan ranked #1,674 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 99 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Sylvan?
3,813 babies have been named Sylvan in the United States since 1886, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Sylvan most popular?
Sylvan peaked in 2025, when 111 newborns received the name.
Is Sylvan a boy or girl name?
Sylvan is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 97% of babies with the name.
Is the name Sylvan rising or falling?
Sylvan is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Sylvan?
Well-known people named Sylvan include Sylvan Ebanks-Blake (soccer player).