Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Silas
BoyLatin, Greek· “of the forest”
- Meaning
- of the forest
- Origin
- Latin, Greek
- Pronunciation
- SY-luhs
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #71
- US babies 2025
- 4,639
- Best rank
- #71 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Silas
Silas is a Latin and Greek name that is usually said to mean “of the forest”.
Silas is a Greek short form of Silouanos, the Latin Silvanus, usually linked to silva, "forest", and to Silvanus, the Roman god of woods and fields. In the New Testament, Silas travels with the apostle Paul and is imprisoned with him at Philippi; he is venerated as a saint. Some scholars think the name may also reflect an Aramaic original, so the forest meaning is best taken as the traditional one. George Eliot's novel Silas Marner, about a lonely weaver, made the name familiar to English readers. Silas has a gentle, vintage charm with a hint of rugged woodland.
Popularity over time
Silas has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 145 different years. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #71, and its highest count, 4,639 babies. Use has grown 45% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #398 in 1920, #631 in 1950, #818 in 1980, #602 in 2000, #219 in 2010, and #71 in 2025. Of the 75,465 US boys named Silas since records began, 39% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 24,464 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Enzo, Atlas, Brooks, Everett, and Beau.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Silas ranked highest in West Virginia, Arkansas, and Mississippi.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | #19 | 47 |
| Arkansas | #20 | 77 |
| Mississippi | #21 | 63 |
| Oklahoma | #22 | 104 |
| South Carolina | #25 | 116 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Silas is usually pronounced SY-luhs, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with S and ends in “-as”.
Middle names for Silas
A few middle names that flow with Silas: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Silas
Similar names
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Lists that include Silas
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Silas mean?
Silas is a Latin and Greek name that is usually said to mean “of the forest”.
What is the origin of the name Silas?
Silas has Latin and Greek roots. Silas is a Greek short form of Silouanos, the Latin Silvanus, usually linked to silva, "forest", and to Silvanus, the Roman god of woods and fields.
Is Silas a popular name?
Yes. Silas ranked #71 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Silas a boy or girl name?
Silas is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Silas?
Silas is usually pronounced SY-luhs. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings