Silvio

Silvio is a masculine given name of Italian origin. It derives from the Latin name Silvius, itself related to silva, meaning forest or woods, and it historically appears in Roman-era nomenclature as gens Silvius. The name has remained common in Italy and across Italian-speaking communities, and it is sometimes adopted in other countries through cultural contact and immigration. The feminine form is Silvia, while Silvio is rarely used as a surname, though there are exceptions.

Notable people named Silvio include Silvio Berlusconi, an Italian media magnate and former prime minister; Silvio Rodríguez, a Cuban singer-songwriter known for his Nueva Trova work; Silvio Santos, a Brazilian television presenter and businessman; Silvio Piola, an Italian footballer and one of the sport's early greats; Silvio Orlando, an Italian actor; and Silvio Horta, an American screenwriter and producer who created the series Ugly Betty. These individuals illustrate the name's use across arts, sports, and politics.

In popular culture, Silvio appears as a fictional character Silvio Dante in the television series The Sopranos, where he serves as a member of the New Jersey mob and provides comic and practical support to the main characters.

Related given names include Silvius (Latin) and Sylvio in some languages; the name Silvia is the common feminine form in Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. Silvio remains relatively uncommon as a given name in modern English-speaking contexts.