About the name Sly
Sly is a boy name with Latin roots, meaning “woody, rural”. It is related to Sylvester, which is where the meaning comes from.
It has a unique, short & sweet feel. In 2025, Sly ranked #8160 for boys in the US, with 10 babies given the name. Its peak year since 1940 was 2025. Since 2000, 100% of US babies named Sly were boys.
Etymology
A diminutive of Sylvester, which comes from Latin, meaning “woody, rural”.
Name meaning adapted from Wiktionary (“Sly”, “Sylvester”) by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- US rank 2025
- #8160
- In 2015
- Not ranked
- Babies in 2025
- 10
Popularity of Sly, 1940–2025
Latest SSA data: 2025.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration national baby names (public domain; names given to at least 5 babies of one sex per year).
Hello, world
Sly
Your last name
born on your big day
7 LB 4 OZ · 20 IN
The Baby Kit
See Sly on a birth announcement
Birth announcements, shower invitations, nursery wall art and milestone cards, all personalized with Sly. Type your details once and print at home or at any print shop.
Nicknames for Sly
Sly is already short and sweet, so it doesn't usually get a nickname.
Names similar to Sly
Name meanings marked or linked “Wiktionary” are adapted from Wiktionary by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; each name page links its source entry.