Between aggressively literary picks like Atticus and undeniably Biblical ones like Nehemiah, there at least one boys’ name that quietly combines both qualities.

Thanks to SG for suggesting Silas as Name of the Day.

There are two possible origins for Silas:

• It’s possible that he’s a contracted form of Silvanus, a Latin name derived from silva – woods – that also gave us Sylvester and Sylvia;
• Alternately, he could relate to more ancient names.  Virgil’s Aeneid mentions an Etruscan leader called Asilas.  Others have suggested that the Hebrew Saul (or Sha’ul) would’ve been Saulos in Greek.  Lastly, he could have Aramaic roots.  If any of these are true, Silvanus is simply the Latinized form of the pre-Roman Silas.

The original Silas became a Christian early days, and eventually accompanied the future Saint Paul on his mission trips throughout the ancient east – Antioch, Syria and Macedonia were among their stops.  The first century Silas achieved sainthood, too.  Either the name was in regular use or the figure inspired others, because at least two more saints Silvanus are recorded in the next few centuries.

As for the literary references, there are two biggies:

• Poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge left Cambridge in 1793 and joined the British Army under the name Silas Tomkyn Comberbache.  His reasons for choosing an alias – and for the alias itself – are unclear;
• Then there’s the far better known reference – in 1861, George Eliot penned Silas Marner: The Weaver of Ravloe.  While plenty of literary characters are poor role models for a child, Silas holds up well.  At the story’s beginning, he’s falsely accused of stealing from his church.  His friends and fiancee turn against him.  Silas rebuilds his life – and while he’s miserable and a bit of a miser, too, he eventually takes in an orphaned child.  (By the way, he calls her Hephzibah, nickname Eppie.)  Anyhow, Eppie and Silas form a little family and all ends well.

A Top 200 pick back in the 19th century, you’ll find him in the history books, too.  Along with Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane was an early ambassador to France.  Captain Silas Talbot once commanded the USS Constitution.  Silas Wright was the 14th governor of New York.  And Major General Silas Casey served in the Union Army during the Civil War.

If Biblical, literary and Americana roots weren’t enough, there’s also the sound of Silas.  It’s shared by newer names like Tyler and Kai, as well as Old Testament choices currently in vogue, like Elijah and Isaac.  The ends-in-s construction is fashionable, too – think Miles or even Rufus.

Little wonder he’s gaining in use quickly.  In 2008, he was the 602nd most popular name.  By 2008, he stood at #313.  That’s not exactly chart-topping, but it looks something like the trajectories of Elijah and Isaiah in the 1990s.  Both names are now Top 100 choices.

Plenty of parents are hearing Silas these days, too – he’s a character on Showtime’s Weeds and a creepy monk in The Da Vinci Code.

All of this could make Silas the perfect name – ahead of the curve, but still just a little bit different.  But if you’re determined to find something truly unusual, Silas might disappoint.