Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Sylvie
GirlFrench, Latin· “forest”
- Meaning
- forest
- Origin
- French, Latin
- Pronunciation
- SIHL-vee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #282
- US babies 2025
- 1,096
- Best rank
- #282 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Sylvie
Sylvie is a French and Latin name that means “forest”.
Sylvie is the French form of Silvia, from the Latin silva, meaning forest or woods. In Roman legend, Rhea Silvia was the mother of Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, and Silvanus was a Roman god of the woods. Sylvie has long been a staple of French naming, carried by singer Sylvie Vartan and many French actresses. In English-speaking countries it has a gentle, chic charm and fits into the vintage revival alongside Josie and Elsie. Sylvia is the fuller English form, and Syl is a simple nickname.
Popularity over time
Sylvie first appears in US Social Security records in 1909. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 10 different years, starting in 2016. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #282, and its highest count, 1,096 babies. Use has grown 412% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #5,239 in 1950, #4,297 in 1980, #2,505 in 2000, #1,528 in 2010, and #282 in 2025. Of the 8,444 US girls named Sylvie since records began, 51% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 2,271 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Alanna, Julieta, Azalea, Meadow, and Alessia.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Sylvie ranked highest in South Dakota, Montana, and Minnesota.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | #50 | 16 |
| Montana | #89 | 11 |
| Minnesota | #97 | 52 |
| Maine | #114 | 10 |
| Wisconsin | #124 | 42 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Sylvie is usually pronounced SIHL-vee, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with S and ends in “-ie”.
Middle names for Sylvie
A few middle names that flow with Sylvie: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Sylvie
Similar names
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Lists that include Sylvie
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sylvie mean?
Sylvie is a French and Latin name that means “forest”.
What is the origin of the name Sylvie?
Sylvie has French and Latin roots. Sylvie is the French form of Silvia, from the Latin silva, meaning forest or woods.
Is Sylvie a popular name?
Yes. Sylvie ranked #282 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Sylvie a boy or girl name?
Sylvie is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Sylvie?
Sylvie is usually pronounced SIHL-vee. 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