Sylvester May

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Sylvester May — Latin
42K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Sylvester May is a name that combines Latin origins. The first name Sylvester is a masculine given name of Latin origin. Sylvester or Silvester is a name derived from the Latin adjective silvestris meaning "wooded" or "wild", which derives from the noun silva meaning "woodland". Classical Latin spells this with i. In Classical Latin, y represented a separate sound distinct from i, not a native Latin sound but one used in transcriptions of foreign words. After the Classical period y was pronounced as i. Spellings with Sylv- in place of Silv- date from after the Classical period. Given name Silvester Diggles (1817–1880), Australian musician and ornithologist Sylvester James Jr. The surname May: May is a surname of Germanic (Saxon) and, independently, of Gaelic origin. There are many variants used in English-speaking countries, as well as several variants used in Germany. The Scottish May is a sept of Clan Donald. The surname "May" remains a common surname in the United States, England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Germany, Australia and New Zealand, as well as among Russians of German origin; possibly also persisting in areas of the Netherlands and France. Sylvester is a distinctive first name, carried by approximately 42K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Sylvester reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Sylvester

Latin

Sylvester or Silvester is a name derived from the Latin adjective silvestris meaning "wooded" or "wild", which derives from the noun silva meaning "woodland". Classical Latin spells this with i. In Classical Latin, y represented a separate sound distinct from i, not a native Latin sound but one used in transcriptions of foreign words. After the Classical period y was pronounced as i. Spellings with Sylv- in place of Silv- date from after the Classical period. Given name Silvester Diggles (1817–1880), Australian musician and ornithologist Sylvester James Jr.

Surname: May

Germanic

May is a surname of Germanic (Saxon) and, independently, of Gaelic origin. There are many variants used in English-speaking countries, as well as several variants used in Germany. The Scottish May is a sept of Clan Donald. The surname "May" remains a common surname in the United States, England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Germany, Australia and New Zealand, as well as among Russians of German origin; possibly also persisting in areas of the Netherlands and France.

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Geographic Distribution

The first name Sylvester is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 52%
United Kingdom 26%
Australia 13%
Canada 10%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Sylvester by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Notable People Named Sylvester May

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Sylvester May:

4
Expression Number

Stability and hard work. Represents practicality, reliability and dedication — someone who builds solid foundations.

11
Soul Urge Number

Intuition and inspiration (Master Number 11). Amplifies spiritual awareness, creative vision and sensitivity.

11
Personality Number

Intuition and inspiration (Master Number 11). Amplifies spiritual awareness, creative vision and sensitivity.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Sylvester?
The first name Sylvester originates from Latin. Sylvester or Silvester is a name derived from the Latin adjective silvestris meaning "wooded" or "wild", which derives from the noun silva meaning "woodland". Classical Latin spells this with i. In Classical Latin, y represented a separate sound distinct from i, not a native Latin sound but one used in transcriptions of foreign words. After the Classical period y was pronounced as i. Spellings with Sylv- in place of Silv- date from after the Classical period. Given name Silvester Diggles (1817–1880), Australian musician and ornithologist Sylvester James Jr.
When was Sylvester most popular?
The name Sylvester reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname May?
The surname May originates from Germanic. May is a surname of Germanic (Saxon) and, independently, of Gaelic origin. There are many variants used in English-speaking countries, as well as several variants used in Germany. The Scottish May is a sept of Clan Donald. The surname "May" remains a common surname in the United States, England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Germany, Australia and New Zealand, as well as among Russians of German origin; possibly also persisting in areas of the Netherlands and France.
What are the origins of the name Sylvester May?
The name Sylvester May combines two different traditions: the first name Sylvester has Latin roots, while the surname May originates from Germanic.
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