Silvan

Gender: Masculine
Origin: Latin
Meaning: “of the forest.”
Eng (SIL-ven); Germ (SIL-vahn)

In English, the name could either be from the Latin male name, Silvanus, or come directly from the adjective. In either case, both the Latin male name and the adjective shares the same etymology.

It was borne in Roman mythology by a titular forest and fertility god, Silvanus, who was linked with the Etruscan god, Selvans.

Currently, Silvan is the 48th most popular male name in German-speaking Switzerland, (2010) and the 496th most popular in the Netherlands, (2010).

In the case of Switzerland, the name was extremely popular among Romansch-speakers and its usage was isolated in the Canton of Grisons up until recently.

Other forms of the name include:

• Silvà (Catalan)
• Silvan (Dutch/German/Romansch)
• Sylvan (English)
• Selvans (Etruscan)
• Sylvain (French)
• Silvano (Italian/Spanish)
• Silvanus (Latin)
• Sylwan (Polish)

Feminine forms include:

• Sylvaine (French)
• Silvana (German/Italian/Romansch/Spanish)