Silas
Gender: Boy
Meaning: Man of the forest; of the woods
Origin: Latin silva (forest, woodland), or a short form of Silvanus; also used in the New Testament as a form of Saul
Popularity: Ranked #71 in 2025 with 4,639 babies born.
History: Silas appears in the New Testament as a companion of Paul on his missionary journeys — a prophet and leader in the early church. The name was widely used in 19th-century America, then faded almost entirely for most of the 20th century. George Eliot's novel Silas Marner (1861) kept it in literary consciousness. It began its revival in the 2000s and entered the U.S. top 100 by 2010, climbing steadily since. It fits the pattern of old-fashioned names with woodsy, quiet strength — the same wave that brought back Jasper, Felix, and Ezra.
Famous people named Silas: Silas Marner (George Eliot novel)
Name length: 5 letters
How common is Silas? About 1 in 716 babies born in 2025 were named Silas, or roughly 12.7 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Silas
What does the name Silas mean?
Silas means “Man of the forest; of the woods” from Latin silva (forest, woodland), or a short form of Silvanus; also used in the New Testament as a form of Saul roots.
What is the origin of the name Silas?
Silas has Latin silva (forest, woodland), or a short form of Silvanus; also used in the New Testament as a form of Saul origin. The traditional meaning is “Man of the forest; of the woods”.
How popular is Silas?
Silas ranked #71 in 2025 — given to 4,639 babies that year.
When was Silas most popular?
Silas peaked in 2025 with 4,639 babies registered that year.
Is Silas a boy or girl name?
Silas is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Silass in registered births are male.
Is the name Silas rising or falling in popularity?
Silas has risen 9006 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #9077 in 2020 to #71 in 2025.
How long has Silas been recorded?
Silas appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.