Silas

The first name Silas is a masculine name, meaning "the one from the forest" or "the requested one."

What does the name Silas mean?

Silas is a masculine first name meaning "the one from the forest" or "the requested one." The exact origin of the name is not clearly defined. Name researchers trace it back to two possible origins. On one hand, Silas could be a Greek short form of the Latin names Silvan or Silvanus, both of which derive from the Latin word "silva," meaning "the forest." Additionally, Silvanus was revered by the Romans as the god of the forest. On the other hand, Silas could also be a Hellenized form of the Aramaic variant se'ila of the ancient Hebrew biblical name Saul. In this case, the name would derive from the ancient Hebrew word Scha'ul (שָׁאוּל), meaning "to ask, to request." This would suggest the meaning "the one requested by God." Silas is a biblical figure and was considered a significant member of the Christian community in Jerusalem. He was also a companion of the Apostle Paul and shared his fate in prison. In the 17th century, the name enjoyed great popularity in England, and since the 1980s, it has been increasingly given in German-speaking areas. It is often assumed that Silas is a Greek name, but this has not yet been substantiated.

Where does the name Silas come from?

The name Silas has its roots in Latin, ancient Hebrew, or biblical sources. It could either be derived from the Latin word "silva" = "the forest" or from the ancient Hebrew word "Scha'ul" = "to ask, to request."

How do you pronounce Silas?

The pronunciation of Silas is soft and consists of two syllables. In German, the name is usually pronounced as "Si-las" [ˈziːlas], with the first syllable having a long "i," giving the name a bright sound quality. The open "a" in the second syllable and the hissing "s" at the end provide a clear and harmonious finish. Silas sounds modern and melodious, conveying a calm, stylish, and present impression.

When is the name day of Silas?

The name day for Silas is celebrated on July 13.

Popularity

In Germany, Silas is among the popular first names. Currently, it ranks 173rd among the most common male first names. Its best placement was in 2008, when it reached 70th place. Over the last ten years, the name has been given approximately 4,300 times, placing it 175th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it holds the 174th position.

Nicknames & pet names

Chili / Issi / Lassi / Mesilas / Persilas / Salis / Sayles / Seilenzio / Si / Sila / Silasilein / Silasso / Silchen / Sile / Silels / Sili / Silias / Silimaus / Sill / Silli / Silly / Silo / Silomilo / Silosch / Siloschilo / Sils / Silu / Sisa / Sissi / Sliddi / Suluz / Zilaz

Similar first names

Famous people

• Earl Silas Tupper (inventor of Tupperware)
• Herman Silas Pepoon (American botanist)
• Silas (book character from 'The Da Vinci Code')
• Silas (film character from the 1981 ZDF Christmas series, played by Patrick Bach)
• Silas Andreas Bürgi-Zentner (Swiss singer, songwriter, and actor)
• Silas Atopare (* 1951), Governor-General of Papua New Guinea (1997–2003)
• Silas Carson (actor from England)
• Silas Daniels (footballer from the USA)
• Silas Demary (football player from the USA)
• Silas Dos Santos Brindeiro (Russian football player)
• Silas Dustin (American artist)
• Silas E. Nelsen (American architect)
• Silas Göpfert (football player from Germany)
• Silas Kipngetich Sang (long-distance runner from Kenya)
• Silas Kipruto (Kenyan long-distance runner)
• Silas Kitto Hocking (English writer)
• Silas L. Warner (physicist from the USA)
• Silas Marcus MacVane (American historian)
• Silas McLellan (long-distance runner from Canada)
• Silas Namatak (Vanuatuan football player)