The woman had been working for several humanitarian aid groups when she was kidnapped.
The US government and the woman's family requested today that she not be named for fears of her safety.
The administration officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the issue publicly.
The woman is one of at least three known US hostages of Islamic State militants in Syria. Another, James Foley, was beheaded by the militant group more than a week ago.