Forrest Name Meaning

The meaning of the name Forrest is quite straightforward. The name is derived from the Old French word “forest,” which means “a large area covered by trees.” This connotation of refuge and natural sanctuary is a beautiful association for a baby boy’s name. It also speaks to a love of nature, adventure, and exploration, all of which are admirable qualities.

Origins of the Name Forrest

Forrest, a name of English origin, has been around for centuries, but it wasn’t until recent years that it has become a popular choice for baby boys. The name Forrest is derived from the Old French word “forest,” which means “a large area covered by trees.” This makes sense, given that a forrest is often thought of as a place of refuge, a natural sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Popularity of the Name Forrest

Forrest has been a popular name choice in recent years, appearing in the top 1,000 baby names in the United States since the 1980s. In 2019, it ranked at number 517 on the list of the most popular baby names in the United States, showing its continued popularity.

Forrest is a versatile name that can be used as a first name or as a middle name. When used as a first name, it stands out on its own and has a strong, confident sound. When used as a middle name, it pairs well with a variety of first names, adding depth and character to the name.

Famous Forrests

One notable person with the name Forrest is Forrest Gump, the lovable and slow-witted protagonist of the 1994 Oscar-winning film. This film helped bring the name Forrest to the forefront of popular culture, and since then it has been a beloved choice for baby boys.

Final Thoughts on the Name Forrest

Forrest is a unique and charming name, with a history and meaning that is rooted in the great outdoors. Its popularity in recent years has shown that it is a timeless and versatile name that can be used as a first name or a middle name. Whether you’re a fan of nature or simply appreciate the idea of a natural sanctuary, Forrest is a beautiful name choice for your baby boy.

Infographic of Forrest name meaning, which is “One who lives or works in the forest,” ultimately from the Latin foris, out of doors.
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Forrest Name Popularity

How popular is the name Forrest? Here’s everything we know.

Year Rank # Births % Births
1910 — 56 0.0159%
1911 — 88 0.0236%
1912 — 263 0.0522%
1913 — 366 0.0646%
1914 — 471 0.0676%
1915 — 597 0.0657%
1916 — 600 0.0621%
1917 — 626 0.0626%
1918 — 742 0.0691%
1919 — 652 0.0623%
1920 — 764 0.0687%
1921 — 765 0.0668%
1922 — 744 0.0668%
1923 — 732 0.0654%
1924 — 669 0.0576%
1925 — 616 0.0545%
1926 — 663 0.0603%
1927 — 579 0.0523%
1928 — 538 0.0503%
1929 — 572 0.0552%
1930 — 492 0.0471%
1931 — 441 0.0447%
1932 — 465 0.0471%
1933 — 415 0.0445%
1934 — 358 0.037%
1935 — 389 0.04%
1936 — 354 0.0367%
1937 — 387 0.0393%
1938 — 349 0.0341%
1939 — 376 0.037%
1940 — 378 0.0356%
1941 — 384 0.0341%
1942 — 376 0.0298%
1943 — 407 0.0312%
1944 — 426 0.0344%
1945 — 405 0.0332%
1946 — 454 0.0308%
1947 — 466 0.0279%
1948 — 406 0.0254%
1949 — 410 0.0255%
1950 — 421 0.0261%
1951 — 459 0.0271%
1952 — 471 0.027%
1953 — 434 0.0245%
1954 — 476 0.026%
1955 — 459 0.025%
1956 — 396 0.021%
1957 — 404 0.021%
1958 — 359 0.019%
1959 — 392 0.0206%
1960 — 349 0.0184%
1961 — 379 0.0201%
1962 — 412 0.0224%
1963 — 357 0.0199%
1964 — 336 0.0191%
1965 — 284 0.0174%
1966 — 246 0.0158%
1967 — 251 0.0165%
1968 — 237 0.0158%
1969 — 207 0.0134%
1970 — 262 0.0165%
1971 — 275 0.0183%
1972 — 225 0.0165%
1973 — 171 0.0132%
1974 — 222 0.0171%
1975 — 226 0.0176%
1976 — 224 0.0174%
1977 — 266 0.0197%
1978 — 261 0.0194%
1979 — 264 0.0187%
1980 — 273 0.0187%
1981 — 266 0.0181%
1982 — 319 0.0213%
1983 — 262 0.0178%
1984 — 220 0.0148%
1985 — 265 0.0175%
1986 — 270 0.0179%
1987 — 325 0.0213%
1988 — 342 0.0219%
1989 — 415 0.0257%
1990 — 501 0.0302%
1991 — 580 0.0356%
1992 — 807 0.0506%
1993 — 914 0.0586%
1994 — 1,340 0.0873%
1995 — 829 0.055%
1996 — 401 0.0268%
1997 — 321 0.0217%
1998 — 231 0.0154%
1999 — 212 0.0142%
2000 — 180 0.0118%
2001 — 146 0.0097%
2002 — 115 0.0077%
2003 — 136 0.0089%
2004 — 105 0.0069%
2005 — 89 0.0058%
2006 — 78 0.005%
2007 — 75 0.0048%
2008 — 77 0.005%
2009 — 106 0.0071%
2010 — 107 0.0074%
2011 — 110 0.0077%
2012 — 96 0.0067%
2013 — 202 0.0142%
2014 — 293 0.0201%
2015 — 344 0.0236%
2016 — 388 0.0269%
2017 — 408 0.0292%
2018 — 447 0.0325%
2019 — 560 0.0414%
2020 — 589 0.0463%
2021 — 717 0.0587%
2022 — 768 0.0582%
2023 — 716 0.0553%

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Data via SSA.gov.


Names Like Forrest

If you like Forrest, you’ll love these other names like Forrest.


What names sound like Forrest?

If you like how Forrest sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Forrest.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Forester

Woodsman; woods

French

Forrester

Woodsman; woods

French

Frost

Freezing

English


What names are similar to Forrest?

Find a name that’s like Forrest, but just a little bit different.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Aoresty

Mountain

Greek

DeForest

Living near the forest

English

Everest

Dweller on the Eure river

English

Farrant

Gray-haired

French

Farris

Iron-strong

English

Ferrant

Gray-haired

French

Ferris

“(A man of) iron,” from the Latin ferrum, iron.

Irish

Ferriss

Irish

Forde

River crossing

English

Horst

Thicket

German


Lists With Forrest

Find inspiration in these baby boy name lists featuring the name Forrest.


Siblings of Forrest

Mamas with kids named Forrest also have kids with these names.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Hunter

Hunter

English

6 Comments

  1. We chose this name because we love nature and also it was my great- grandfather’s name.

  2. Girlfriend’s expecting twin boys – Forrest and Burke aren’t half bad, eh? That or Forrest and Paris 🙂

  3. Thanks for providing the resources

  4. Forrest is my husband’s grandmothers maiden name. We’re also very outdoorsy people, so it just happens to make sense 🙂

  5. We named him after his great grandfather.

  6. We named Forrest after my late grandfather! I was the youngest and only one of my grandfathers grandkids to get his red hair.


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