US Popularity Rank: 870

Origin: Latin

Meaning: woods or forest

This silky-sounding girl's name is ideal for anyone on the hunt for earthy, nature-inspired baby names. Sylvia has Latin origins and means "woods" or "forest." Sylvia it a vintage, artsy feel, due in no small part to iconic yet tragic poet Sylvia Plath. The Latin form, Silvia, comes from Rhea Silvia, who was an ancient nature goddess and mother of Romulus and Remus, who are the legendary twin founders of Rome.