Sylva

Sylva is a proper noun used as both a place name and a personal name. Etymologically, it derives from the Latin silva, meaning forest, and in some languages Sylva functions as a feminine form of Sylvia or Sylvan. In addition to geographic uses, Sylva appears as a given name or surname in various cultures, sometimes as a variant of Silva or Sylvia.

The most prominent use of the name is Sylva, North Carolina, a small town in Jackson County that serves as the county seat. Located in western North Carolina within the Appalachian region, Sylva lies near forested mountains and outdoor recreation areas and functions as a local commercial center for the county. The town is part of a region that includes nearby towns and communities linked by highways and access to natural landscapes, including forests and national forest lands.

Beyond the United States, Sylva may be used as a given name in different countries, often as a feminine variant related to Sylvia. It can also appear as a surname or as part of larger place-name formations in non-English contexts, reflecting the same root meaning associated with forests and woodlands.

In summary, Sylva primarily denotes a place name with the best-known reference in North Carolina, while also existing as a personal name with origins tied to the Latin word for forest. Related spellings and variants include Silva and Sylvia.