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The short answer
Silas is a masculine name of Biblical origin, probably a short form of Silvanus, the name the apostle Paul uses for his companion Silas in the New Testament epistles. Behind the Name notes Silvanus and Silas may themselves be Latin and Greek forms of the Hebrew name Saul. It was not used as an English name until after the Protestant Reformation, and later became known as the title character of George Eliot's novel Silas Marner (1861). It is pronounced SY-ləs. In the United States it ranked #71 for boys in 2025.
Meaning and etymology
Behind the Name describes Silas as "the name of a companion of Saint Paul in the New Testament", adding "it is probably a short form of Silvanus, a name that Paul calls him by in the epistles", and that "it is possible that Silvanus and Silas were Latin and Greek forms of the Hebrew name Saul (via Aramaic)". As an English name it was not used until after the Protestant Reformation; the entry cites its use for the title character of George Eliot's novel Silas Marner (1861).
Editorial confidence: likely
Linguistic roots
| Language | Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Biblical Latin | Silvanus | probable source name (not independently glossed) |
Competing or overlapping origins
- Behind the Name notes it is possible Silvanus and Silas were Latin and Greek forms of the Hebrew name Saul, transmitted via Aramaic.
Popularity
Silas ranked #71 for boys in the United States in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | #71 | ssa-2025 |
Nicknames, variants, and related names
Nicknames: None documented.
Variants: Sylas, Silouanos
Related names: Silvanus, Silvio
What the name feels like
Silas has an old-fashioned, literary warmth thanks to its Biblical roots and its association with George Eliot's Silas Marner, while still sounding fresh among today's revived vintage names.
Style tags: Biblical, vintage revival, literary association, two syllables
Editorial interpretation: This style read is editorial judgment, not linguistic fact.
If you like this name
Names that share Silas's Biblical roots or its vintage, revival-name sound.
Similar by origin
Similar by sound
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Silas mean?
Silas is probably a short form of Silvanus, the name the apostle Paul uses for his New Testament companion Silas; Behind the Name also notes it may derive, via Silvanus, from the Hebrew name Saul.
Is Silas a Biblical name?
Yes. Silas was a companion of Saint Paul in the New Testament, mentioned by that name in the Book of Acts and by Silvanus in Paul's epistles.
Is Silas a popular name?
Yes. Silas ranked #71 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Silas — supports etymology, pronunciation, history, variants.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.
