Sylvia
Every Sylvia since 1880 — 245,978 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Sylvia
Sylvia is moderately common for girls in the United States, ranked #300 in 2025 with 1,017 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 245,978 American babies have been named Sylvia. Its peak came in 1937, when 4,389 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1930s.
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 Sylvia stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Sylvia 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 | 1,017 | #300 | — | — |
| 2024 | 868 | #361 | — | — |
| 2023 | 724 | #427 | — | — |
| 2022 | 720 | #439 | — | — |
| 2021 | 673 | #467 | — | — |
| 2020 | 606 | #502 | — | — |
| 2019 | 616 | #511 | — | — |
| 2018 | 633 | #492 | — | — |
| 2017 | 647 | #483 | — | — |
| 2016 | 622 | #502 | — | — |
| 2015 | 662 | #484 | — | — |
| 2014 | 638 | #490 | — | — |
| 2013 | 594 | #507 | — | — |
| 2012 | 578 | #526 | — | — |
| 2011 | 531 | #551 | — | — |
| 2010 | 525 | #557 | — | — |
| 2009 | 555 | #550 | — | — |
| 2008 | 556 | #554 | — | — |
| 2007 | 588 | #533 | — | — |
| 2006 | 581 | #520 | — | — |
| 2005 | 547 | #529 | — | — |
| 2004 | 513 | #557 | — | — |
| 2003 | 504 | #550 | — | — |
| 2002 | 535 | #513 | — | — |
| 2001 | 519 | #517 | — | — |
| 2000 | 542 | #497 | — | — |
| 1995 | 589 | #436 | — | — |
| 1990 | 818 | #334 | 5 | #9,336 |
| 1985 | 931 | #271 | 7 | #5,694 |
| 1980 | 962 | #264 | 7 | #5,449 |
| 1975 | 1,143 | #215 | 9 | #3,912 |
| 1970 | 1,727 | #189 | 10 | #3,255 |
| 1965 | 2,960 | #131 | 13 | #2,358 |
| 1960 | 3,824 | #121 | 10 | #2,851 |
| 1955 | 4,003 | #107 | 12 | #2,421 |
| 1950 | 3,612 | #97 | 10 | #2,561 |
| 1945 | 3,375 | #83 | 11 | #2,233 |
| 1940 | 3,802 | #62 | 20 | #1,566 |
| 1935 | 3,620 | #60 | 19 | #1,650 |
| 1930 | 1,830 | #132 | 11 | #2,590 |
| 1925 | 2,537 | #106 | 17 | #2,000 |
| 1920 | 3,317 | #85 | 5 | #4,903 |
| 1915 | 3,284 | #67 | 8 | #3,042 |
| 1910 | 1,000 | #92 | — | — |
| 1905 | 528 | #120 | — | — |
| 1900 | 446 | #137 | — | — |
| 1895 | 276 | #157 | — | — |
| 1890 | 223 | #158 | — | — |
| 1885 | 112 | #173 | — | — |
| 1880 | 81 | #162 | — | — |
Famous people named Sylvia
- Sylvia Plath Writer · 1932–1963
- Sylvia Kristel Actor · 1952–2012
- Sylvia Browne Writer · 1936–2013
- Sylvia Earle Biologist · b. 1935
- Sylvia Miles Actor · 1924–2019
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Sylvia in 2025?
Sylvia ranked #300 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 1,017 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Sylvia?
245,978 babies have been named Sylvia in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Sylvia most popular?
Sylvia peaked in 1937, when 4,389 newborns received the name.
Is Sylvia a boy or girl name?
Sylvia is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Sylvia rising or falling?
Sylvia is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Sylvia?
Well-known people named Sylvia include Sylvia Plath (writer), Sylvia Kristel (actor), Sylvia Browne (writer).