Is Sylvan a boy or girl name?

Sylvan is a boy’s name. Of the 3,813 Americans recorded with the name since 1880, 3.4% were girls and 96.6% were boys.

Sylvan

Recorded 1886–2025 · United States

Sylvan was most popular in 2025, when 111 American babies were given the name — ranking #3,297 that year. In 2025 it ranked #3,297, with 111 births. Across 1880–2025 the Social Security Administration has recorded 3,813 people named Sylvan.

Sylvan over time

Births per year. The dot marks Sylvan’s peak in 2025. Gaps are years the SSA suppressed, which it does for any name given to fewer than five babies.

Is Sylvan a boy’s or a girl’s name?

Across the whole record Sylvan is a boy’s name — 3.4% of the 3,813 Americans given it were girls and 96.6% were boys. In births since 2016 it is 11% girls and 89% boys.

Counted from every US birth the Social Security Administration recorded under this name, so it reflects use rather than opinion. A name given to fewer than five babies of one sex in a year is withheld at source and is not counted.

Names that peaked alongside Sylvan

Where Sylvan is most concentrated

How much more common the name is in each state than across the country as a whole.

Explore further

See Sylvan on the interactive charts

Source: U.S.A. Social Security Administration. Years 1880–2025. namelegacy.org