Where does “Sylvester” come from?

Sylvester derives from Latin sylvester, an adjective formed from Latin silva meaning "forest," ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots sel- and ser-.

Ancestry of “Sylvester”, step by step

Step	Language	Word	Meaning
1	Latin	sylvester	Alternative form of silvester; woody, rural
2	Latin	silva	wood, forest; orchard, grove
3	Proto-Indo-European	sēl-	to calm, quiet, be favourable

Every word from Proto-Indo-European sēl- →

Sylvester — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer