US Popularity Rank: 28459

Origin: Modern

Meaning: Nymph of the woods; Graceful girl

Sylphrena is a girl’s name with a fascinating history. It appears to have been invented by fantasy author Brandon Sanderson, creator of the hit series The Stormlight Archive. In these books, Sylphrena is a clever fairy-like creature and a loyal companion to Kaladin, one of the saga’s main protagonists. Sanderson was likely inspired by the mythical being known as the sylph, coined by the Swiss alchemist Paracelsus. Paracelsus believed these beings were magical air spirits, and the word sylph essentially means “nymph of the woods” from the Latin words sylvestris and nymph. In the 19th century, sylph also took on the meaning of “graceful girl” and inspired two ballets, the French La Sylphide and the English The Mountain Sylph. Sylphrena is the perfect choice for fantasy fans and ballet lovers alike, and your little pixie will love to dig into the origins of their one-of-a-kind name.