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Sylvan
While writing my column on the name Sylvester (link found in Name Facts board) I ran across the name Sylvan. This short form of Silvanus or Sylvanus was among the top thousand boys' names on the Social Security list betweeen 1900 and 1935. I can see why Sylvester doesn't fit in with contemporary tastes, but as a "two syllables ending in -n" that contains an internal "v", I would think that Sylvan would be ripe for revival for American boys now. What do you all think of it?
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This is my dad's name. He was born in the USA in the '70s. I think it's handsome and I'd like to use it as a middle name if I ever have a son. People often mispronounce it as Sylvain and they're always very interested as to where it comes from. I like the connection to silvanus.
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I think it's handsome. I prefer Sylvan more than Sylvanus, Sylvester, or Sycamore.
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I guess it okay, but it makes me think of Sylvan Learning Center. I don’t know if it’s a local thing, but it is a tutoring service for kids.
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It’s okay, I prefer Silvan, Silvano, Silvio & Silvius more.
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Sylvan is such a great name, I’m very fond of it. That said, I do prefer Silas.
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Well, if I'm not mistaken, Donovan and Sullivan (let alone Evan) are more popular than Sylvan, which is a tad unfair, imo:)
Maybe there is something to do with Sylvia? Might some people think that Sylvan is too close to Sylvia, which might be a drawback for them? Idk...
Plus, there is Silas, which some might find a better/cooler version of Sylvanus. Silas is more popular than Evan as of 2021.
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A friend of a friend has a little boy named Sylvan. I like it. It's the language of the fae in many fantasy universes so it has a neat, naturey/otherworldly vibe to it.
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This name is vastly underrated! I don't understand why it never caught on, it has a good sound, doesn't have a bad meaning and looks very classy - it could fit in with names like Oliver, Theodore or Hugo.I'd like to see it in the US top 1000 soon.
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it may have something to do with this ...Sylvan Learning, Inc. (formerly Sylvan Learning Corporation) consists of
franchised
and corporate supplemental learning centers which provide personalized instruction in
reading,
writing,
mathematics,
study skills, homework support, and
test preparation
for college entrance and state exams. Sylvan provides personalized learning programs and primarily serves students in
primary
and
secondary
education.
From Wikipedia. I don't listen much to terrestrial radio anymore but I used to hear ads for Sylvan Learning quite a lot.
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thisThis is immediately what I thought of.
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It's been quietly rising - twice as many born per year lately, than ten years ago (still not very many though).
I agree, it does seem like it should be fashionable. Seems like it would only take one appealing character in popular culture, for it to take off. The absence of any, seems strange to me! I'm curious what others will say.
I don't know - I really like Sylvan / Silvan and put it on my favorites a couple years ago. I'd use it. But I had my babies in the 00s and am done now.
I've never heard of anyone named Sylvan, that I can recall.
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