Sylvia, derived from Latin origins, signifies 'from the forest' or 'spirit of the wood.' It was popularized during the Middle Ages via the character Sylvia in Geoffrey Chaucer's 'The Legend of Good Women.' The name Sylvia was also used by prominent writers like Alfred, Lord Tennyson and William Blake. Notable individuals bearing this name include Sylvia Plath, a renowned American poet, and Sylvia Earle, an oceanographer and marine biologist.
Sylivia had a peak in popularity with 8 births recorded in 1985, but it was more commonly used between 1967 and 1969 with 5 births each year. In total, there were 35 babies named Sylivia born over this period.