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 241 56 0.0159%
1911 220 88 0.0236%
1912 192 263 0.0522%
1913 171 366 0.0646%
1914 177 471 0.0676%
1915 180 597 0.0657%
1916 184 600 0.0621%
1917 184 626 0.0626%
1918 172 742 0.0691%
1919 188 652 0.0623%
1920 178 764 0.0687%
1921 180 765 0.0668%
1922 182 744 0.0668%
1923 185 732 0.0654%
1924 199 669 0.0576%
1925 213 616 0.0545%
1926 202 663 0.0603%
1927 218 579 0.0523%
1928 231 538 0.0503%
1929 210 572 0.0552%
1930 241 492 0.0471%
1931 241 441 0.0447%
1932 238 465 0.0471%
1933 245 415 0.0445%
1934 272 358 0.037%
1935 261 389 0.04%
1936 270 354 0.0367%
1937 259 387 0.0393%
1938 280 349 0.0341%
1939 267 376 0.037%
1940 276 378 0.0356%
1941 278 384 0.0341%
1942 298 376 0.0298%
1943 289 407 0.0312%
1944 277 426 0.0344%
1945 286 405 0.0332%
1946 292 454 0.0308%
1947 309 466 0.0279%
1948 317 406 0.0254%
1949 325 410 0.0255%
1950 319 421 0.0261%
1951 313 459 0.0271%
1952 315 471 0.027%
1953 323 434 0.0245%
1954 319 476 0.026%
1955 330 459 0.025%
1956 354 396 0.021%
1957 362 404 0.021%
1958 389 359 0.019%
1959 382 392 0.0206%
1960 398 349 0.0184%
1961 388 379 0.0201%
1962 378 412 0.0224%
1963 401 357 0.0199%
1964 414 336 0.0191%
1965 428 284 0.0174%
1966 453 246 0.0158%
1967 443 251 0.0165%
1968 457 237 0.0158%
1969 486 207 0.0134%
1970 463 262 0.0165%
1971 456 275 0.0183%
1972 477 225 0.0165%
1973 531 171 0.0132%
1974 488 222 0.0171%
1975 489 226 0.0176%
1976 481 224 0.0174%
1977 456 266 0.0197%
1978 457 261 0.0194%
1979 467 264 0.0187%
1980 471 273 0.0187%
1981 473 266 0.0181%
1982 445 319 0.0213%
1983 482 262 0.0178%
1984 525 220 0.0148%
1985 494 265 0.0175%
1986 495 270 0.0179%
1987 460 325 0.0213%
1988 460 342 0.0219%
1989 443 415 0.0257%
1990 420 501 0.0302%
1991 372 580 0.0356%
1992 314 807 0.0506%
1993 294 914 0.0586%
1994 213 1,340 0.0873%
1995 308 829 0.055%
1996 486 401 0.0268%
1997 544 321 0.0217%
1998 639 231 0.0154%
1999 666 212 0.0142%
2000 746 180 0.0118%
2001 839 146 0.0097%
2002 955 115 0.0077%
2003 902 136 0.0089%
2004 1,036 105 0.0069%
2005 1,146 89 0.0058%
2006 1,249 78 0.005%
2007 1,295 75 0.0048%
2008 1,291 77 0.005%
2009 1,126 106 0.0071%
2010 1,109 107 0.0074%
2011 1,075 110 0.0077%
2012 1,139 96 0.0067%
2013 820 202 0.0142%
2014 699 293 0.0201%
2015 647 344 0.0236%
2016 612 388 0.0269%
2017 582 408 0.0292%
2018 552 447 0.0325%
2019 475 560 0.0414%
2020 465 589 0.0463%
2021 413 717 0.0587%
2022 395 768 0.0582%

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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

5 Comments

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

    Reply

  2. Thanks for providing the resources

    Reply

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

    Reply

  4. We named him after his great grandfather.

    Reply

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

    Reply

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