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Sylvia (given name)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sylvia
GenderFeminine
Origin
Language(s)Latin
Meaning"Forest"
Other names
Alternative spellingSilvia
Variant form(s)Sylvie

Sylvia is a feminine given name of Latin origin, also spelled Silvia. The French form is Sylvie. The name originates from the Latin word for forest Silva and its meaning is spirit of the wood. The mythological god of the forest was associated with the figure of Silvanus.

William Shakespeare imported 'Silvia' to England. Silvia is the protagonist in the Shakespearean poem: Who is Silvia? Today, Silvia is the more modern spelling of the name Sylvia. In Roman mythology, Silvia is the goddess of the forest while Rea Silvia was the mother of Romulus and Remus. Silvia is also the name of one of the female innamorati of the commedia dell'arte and is a character of the Aminta written by Torquato Tasso. Sylvia (that spelling) was the 137th most popular girl's name in Britain in 1900.[1]

People

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Fictional characters

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References

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  1. ^ Nickerson, Eleanor. "Name of the Week: Sylvie/Sylvia/Silvia". British Baby Names. Retrieved 5 February 2018.