Surname Silva - Meaning and Origin

Unveiling the Silva Saga: An Intimate Encounter with My Ancestry Through iGENEA’s DNA analysis

My journey with iGENEA opened up new dimensions in understanding the historical depth, geographical diversity, and inherent unknowns related to my familial line. The DNA analysis brought to life a spectacular narrative associated with my surname, Silva, unearthing a saga that crosses centuries and continents!

D. Silva

Silva: What does the surname Silva mean?

Silva is a common last name especially in Portuguese and Spanish-speaking countries. It is derived from the Latin word 'silva,' which means 'forest' or 'woodland'. This indicates that the ancestors of people with this surname likely lived in or near a forest or woodland. In many cultures, surnames were often derived from geographical features or occupations, implying that those bearing the name Silva might have worked in the woods, or their ancestors hailed from a woodland area. Silva is also a common surname in Italy, where its meaning stays the same. It is one of the most common surnames in Brazil due to the intense Portuguese colonization in the country.

Silva: Where does the name Silva come from?

The surname Silva originates from Spain and Portugal and is derived from the Latin word "silva", meaning 'forest' or 'woodland.' It closely corresponds to the English surname "Woods." The name was often given to those who resided near forests or woodlands.

Today, Silva is a common surname in many countries due to the extensive Portuguese and Spanish diasporic communities around the globe. However, it is remarkably prevalent in Portugal and Brazil, making it one of the most common surnames in both countries. The surname Silva is also fairly common in Spain, and countries in Africa such as Angola, and Mozambique where Portuguese influence was strong. Further, considerable populations in the United States, specifically within Hispanic and Latino communities, also bear the last name Silva. This wide distribution is chiefly a result of centuries of exploration, colonization, and migration by the Portuguese and Spanish.

Variations of the surname Silva

Silva is a surname of Latin origins, meaning 'wood' or 'forest'. It's common in the Iberian Peninsula, which includes Portuguese and Spanish-speaking countries. Different spelling variations, often result from phonetic translations when families immigrated to non-Spanish-speaking countries. Variants may include:

1. De Silva or Da Silva: The prefix "De" or "Da" means "from" or "of" in Portuguese and Spanish, specifying someone "of the Silva".

2. Silvas, Silvo, or Silver: Phonetic variations commonly found in countries where English is the primary language.

3. Silvano or Sylvan: Italian and French variant respectively, also means 'of the forest'.

4. Silveira: A Portuguese variant of Silva, refers to a place where many trees grow.

5. Sylva or Sylvia: English variants of the name.

6. Zilva or Šilva: Eastern European variations.

7. Szilva: Variation commonly found in Hungary.

Though these variants stem from the same roots, their use can differ by country, with De Silva being more common in Spain and Da Silva more frequently found in Portugal. The 'z' replacing the 's' in Eastern European countries follows phonetic patterns exclusive to those languages.

Famous people with the name Silva

• Anderson Silva: A famous professional mixed martial artist from Brazil and former UFC Middleweight Champion.
• David Silva: A Spanish professional footballer, currently playing for Real Sociedad and formerly for Manchester City F.C.
• Anselmo Silva: A famous journalist and broadcaster from Portugal.
• Diego Silva: A Uruguayan footballer who has been with numerous clubs.
• Lucy Silva: An entrepreneur and co-founder of the National Women's Business Council, USA.
• Thiago Silva: A Brazilian professional footballer, currently playing for Chelsea F.C.
• Simone Silva: A well-known Egyptian-born French film actress in the 1950s.
• Gabriel Silva: A Colombian professional footballer, currently playing for Chapecoense.
• Eduardo Silva: A celebrated Chilean writer and journalist.
• Kevin Silva: An American professional soccer player.
• Gustavo Da Silva: An experienced Brazilian football manager.
• Wagner Silva: A professional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor and MMA fighter.
• Marcelo Silva: A Uruguayan professional footballer, currently playing for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer.
• Julian da Silva: A South African rugby player.
• Paloma Silva: A Mexican economist and former housing commissioner.

Other surnames

SilvanSilvanusSilvasSilvayneSilveiraSilvennoinenSilverSilvercloudSilvermanSilvermannSilversteinSilverstoneSilverthornSilverthorneSilvester