Silvester
Silvester was not among the names given to 5 or more boys in 2025. Its best year was 1884, when it ranked 836th; the most babies were born in 1960 (32). More babies were named Silvester in the 1920s than in any other decade.
Meaning (as Sylvester) "of the woods" · Latin
- Rank in 2025
- Not rankedboys
- Babies in 2025
- 0boys
- Girls and boys
- Almost always a boy’s name2021–2025
- Peak year
- 196032 babies
- Total since 1880
- 1,306babies recorded
What does the name Silvester mean?
Silvester is a spelling of Sylvester, pronounced the same way, so it shares Sylvester's meaning and origin.
Sylvester is from the Latin silvestris, "of the woods, wild", from silva, "forest". It was the name of three popes, notably Pope Sylvester I, whose feast falls on December 31; New Year's Eve is still called Silvester in much of Europe. Wiktionary notes it has been used in English since the 16th century. In the US it was most common around 1900.
silvestris (Latin, “wooded, wild”)silva (Latin, “forest, woodland”)
How sure is this? Well established.
Related names: Silvester, Silvestre, Sly, Sylvia.
See also: Latin names, names that mean tree.
Sources for this meaning
- Wiktionary, entry 'Sylvester', Wiktionary (Wikimedia Foundation)
- Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources, ed. S. L. Uckelman, Edition 2023 no. 1, s.v. 'Sylvester', DMNES (Durham University)
- Wikipedia, 'Sylvester', Wikipedia (Wikimedia Foundation)
Silvester popularity since 1880
| Year | Rank (boys) | Babies (boys) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2010 | #13,960 | 5 |
| 2000 | #11,877 | 5 |
| 1990 | #5,318 | 10 |
| 1980 | #5,439 | 7 |
| 1970 | #3,041 | 11 |
| 1960 | #1,428 | 32 |
| 1950 | #2,558 | 10 |
| 1940 | #2,651 | 9 |
| 1930 | #1,745 | 19 |
| 1920 | #1,495 | 26 |
| 1910 | #976 | 12 |
| 1900 | #1,284 | 6 |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
How popular is Silvester, counting every spelling?
Silvester is a spelling of Sylvester, a name family that had 64 boys in 2025 across its spellings. Together these spellings went to 64 boys in 2025.
| Spelling | Babies 2025 | Official rank | Babies 2021–2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sylvester | 64 | #2,224 | 341 |
Spellings count together when they sound the same in American English and are used for the same sex; nicknames and forms that sound different (such as Theo and Theodore) are kept apart. How we group spellings.
How old are people named Silvester?
About 600 people born in the US named Silvester are alive today, with a median age of 56; half are between 37 and 67. That makes Silvester a name most people associate with older generations.
Babies given the name each year (SSA) times the share of that birth year still alive (SSA life tables). Counts people born in the US only. Method.
Silvester by state
How common Silvester was among boys born in each state in 1958–1962, around its peak. It is notably more common than nationally in Texas (3.1×). In 50 states fewer than five boys a year got the name, too few for SSA to publish, so those states show as zero.
Names with a similar history
These names rose and fell in step with Silvester: their share of US boys followed the most similar curve since 1880. If you like Silvester, they share its era and feel.
Questions about the name Silvester
What does Silvester mean?
Silvester is a spelling of Sylvester, which means “"of the woods"” (Latin origin). Certainty: well established.
How popular is the name Silvester?
Silvester was not among the names given to 5 or more boys in 2025. Its best year was 1884, when it ranked 836th; the most babies were born in 1960 (32). More babies were named Silvester in the 1920s than in any other decade.
Is Silvester a boy or girl name?
In 2021–2025, almost always a boy’s name given the name Silvester in the US.
Where was Silvester most popular?
In 1958–1962, Silvester was most common in Texas (0.03 per 1,000 boys).