Deforest Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: dee-FOREST //diˈfɔːrɪst//
Origin: English; French
Meaning: English: from the forest; French: of the forest
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Deforest is of English origin, derived from the Old French term "forest," which itself comes from the Latin "foresta," meaning "woodland" or "forest." The Latin term is rooted in the word "foris," meaning "outside," indicating land that is outside of cultivated areas. The name likely entered the English lexicon after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, when many Old French words were adopted into English, particularly in relation to land and nature.
Deforest can be understood as a topographical surname, originally denoting someone who lived near or within a forested area. Historically, surnames like Deforest became more common in England during the late Middle Ages, particularly from the 13th century onwards, as the population grew and the need for distinguishing individuals became necessary.
The name may also evoke the significance of forests in medieval society, which were often associated with hunting, nobility, and land ownership. In the context of English history, forests were not only vital for resources but also held legal and social importance, often being designated as royal hunting grounds.
Culturally, the name Deforest carries connotations of nature and wilderness, reflecting a connection to the environment. This association with the natural world may have contributed to its endurance as a surname over the centuries.
Additionally, the name has been linked to various notable figures in American history, particularly in the 19th century, although specific individuals are less documented. The name's connection to the natural landscape and its historical roots in land use and ownership have allowed it to maintain a presence in various forms, including the diminutive "Forest," which also reflects similar themes of nature.
Famous people named Deforest
In this section, you will find notable people named Deforest. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Deforest who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Deforest who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Deforest Kelley is an actor best known for Star Trek, The Twilight Zone, and The Man from U.N.C.L.E..
Deforest Buckner is a professional football player best known for playing with the San Francisco 49ers and Indianapolis Colts.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Deforest, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Deforest. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Deforest was first seen in the United States in 1881.
Deforest has ranked as high as #2938 nationally, which occurred in 1920, and has been most popular in New York, and Georgia.
In the past 5 years the name Deforest has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Deforest is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Deforest was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Deforest.
| Year | Total Births | Boy |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 5 | 5 |
| 1995 | 7 | 7 |
| 1994 | 8 | 8 |
| 1993 | 5 | 5 |
| 1992 | 7 | 7 |
| 1991 | 7 | 7 |
| 1979 | 5 | 5 |
| 1974 | 6 | 6 |
| 1973 | 5 | 5 |
| 1972 | 6 | 6 |
| 1971 | 8 | 8 |
| 1970 | 7 | 7 |
| 1967 | 6 | 6 |
| 1966 | 6 | 6 |
| 1965 | 9 | 9 |
| 1962 | 5 | 5 |
| 1961 | 5 | 5 |
| 1958 | 5 | 5 |
| 1956 | 6 | 6 |
| 1955 | 5 | 5 |
| 1953 | 8 | 8 |
| 1952 | 8 | 8 |
| 1951 | 9 | 9 |
| 1950 | 7 | 7 |
| 1949 | 13 | 13 |
| 1948 | 8 | 8 |
| 1947 | 15 | 15 |
| 1945 | 7 | 7 |
| 1944 | 11 | 11 |
| 1943 | 8 | 8 |
| 1942 | 6 | 6 |
| 1941 | 5 | 5 |
| 1940 | 6 | 6 |
| 1939 | 8 | 8 |
| 1938 | 7 | 7 |
| 1937 | 6 | 6 |
| 1935 | 16 | 16 |
| 1934 | 20 | 20 |
| 1933 | 9 | 9 |
| 1932 | 14 | 14 |
| 1931 | 9 | 9 |
| 1930 | 5 | 5 |
| 1929 | 18 | 18 |
| 1928 | 15 | 15 |
| 1927 | 18 | 18 |
| 1926 | 14 | 14 |
| 1925 | 14 | 14 |
| 1924 | 15 | 15 |
| 1923 | 14 | 14 |
| 1922 | 16 | 16 |
| 1921 | 24 | 24 |
| 1920 | 26 | 26 |
| 1919 | 24 | 24 |
| 1918 | 15 | 15 |
| 1917 | 23 | 23 |
| 1916 | 8 | 8 |
| 1915 | 18 | 18 |
| 1914 | 17 | 17 |
| 1913 | 12 | 12 |
| 1912 | 5 | 5 |
| 1911 | 5 | 5 |
| 1908 | 6 | 6 |
| 1904 | 6 | 6 |
| 1894 | 5 | 5 |
| 1891 | 6 | 6 |
| 1890 | 6 | 6 |
| 1881 | 9 | 9 |
Top States for Deforest (1949)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 6 |