Forrest Boy

Popularity: #353 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: FOR-est //ˈfɔːr.ɪst//

Origin: English; Old French

Meaning: English: of the forest; Old French: dweller by the woods

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Forrest is derived from the Old French word "forest," which itself comes from the Latin "forestis," meaning "of the woods" or "woodland." This Latin term evolved from the earlier Proto-Indo-European root *dru-, which relates to trees and wood. The name entered the English language during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, when French influence permeated English vocabulary, particularly in terms related to nature and the environment.

As a result, Forrest became associated with places characterized by wooded areas, reflecting a connection to nature and the outdoors. Historically, the name Forrest has been borne by various notable figures, though it is not as widely documented as some other names.

One significant reference is the use of the name in literature and popular culture, particularly in the 20th century, which has helped to solidify its presence in the English-speaking world. The name is sometimes linked to the concept of a guardian of the forest, evoking images of strength and protection associated with nature.

Additionally, the name has been used in various literary works, contributing to its cultural resonance. Symbolically, the name Forrest embodies themes of nature, tranquility, and resilience, which have allowed it to endure through the centuries.

It is often associated with a sense of adventure and exploration, reflecting humanity's longstanding relationship with the natural world. The name may also have diminutive forms, such as "Forry," which have been used informally, although these variations are less documented in historical texts.

Overall, the name Forrest carries a rich etymological and cultural heritage that connects it to the natural environment and human experience.

Famous people named Forrest

In this section, you will find notable people named Forrest. 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 Forrest who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Forrest 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.

Forrest Whitaker is an actor and director best known for The Last King of Scotland, Bird, and Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai.

Fictional characters named Forrest

The following list of fictional characters named Forrest is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Forrest Gump is a fictional character from the novel and film Forrest Gump. He is a kind-hearted man with a low IQ who unwittingly influences several historical events in the 20th century.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Forrest, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

FletcherFergusFinnFelixFreyaFiona

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Forrest. 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.

FosterForestFergusFerdinandFletcherFranklinFrederickFintan

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Forrest was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Forrest has ranked as high as #431 nationally, which occurred in 1994, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Ohio, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.

In the past 5 years the name Forrest has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Forrest 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 Forrest 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 Forrest.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 862 850 12
2024 804 794 10
2023 767 746 21
2022 810 794 16
2021 756 745 11
2020 649 640 9
2019 588 583 5
2018 490 484 6
2017 469 460 9
2016 431 423 8
2015 391 391 0
2014 344 338 6
2013 262 257 5
2012 154 154 0
2011 161 161 0
2010 162 162 0
2009 166 166 0
2008 129 129 0
2007 142 142 0
2006 147 147 0
2005 151 151 0
2004 158 158 0
2003 195 195 0
2002 199 194 5
2001 207 207 0
2000 252 252 0
1999 262 262 0
1998 296 296 0
1997 377 370 7
1996 439 431 8
1995 880 858 22
1994 1,381 1,343 38
1993 970 948 22
1992 851 832 19
1991 636 620 16
1990 547 542 5
1989 461 461 0
1988 414 404 10
1987 382 377 5
1986 337 331 6
1985 310 310 0
1984 295 288 7
1983 323 313 10
1982 367 360 7
1981 320 312 8
1980 333 333 0
1979 324 316 8
1978 323 317 6
1977 315 315 0
1976 279 279 0
1975 284 277 7
1974 288 280 8
1973 222 222 0
1972 279 273 6
1971 323 316 7
1970 316 311 5
1969 277 277 0
1968 301 296 5
1967 308 302 6
1966 300 300 0
1965 348 348 0
1964 382 382 0
1963 408 403 5
1962 452 452 0
1961 429 429 0
1960 409 400 9
1959 442 436 6
1958 420 413 7
1957 465 460 5
1956 451 441 10
1955 511 504 7
1954 508 503 5
1953 490 476 14
1952 528 518 10
1951 512 501 11
1950 471 458 13
1949 468 459 9
1948 440 432 8
1947 513 513 0
1946 507 493 14
1945 447 441 6
1944 478 467 11
1943 460 450 10
1942 423 412 11
1941 434 426 8
1940 416 407 9
1939 422 414 8
1938 412 403 9
1937 426 420 6
1936 398 393 5
1935 431 422 9
1934 420 412 8
1933 460 454 6
1932 512 498 14
1931 485 473 12
1930 545 532 13
1929 619 602 17
1928 586 572 14
1927 620 610 10
1926 688 680 8
1925 653 648 5
1924 710 695 15
1923 778 758 20
1922 790 772 18
1921 801 781 20
1920 806 792 14
1919 701 686 15
1918 776 757 19
1917 678 663 15
1916 668 652 16
1915 653 643 10
1914 517 501 16
1913 409 395 14
1912 323 308 15
1911 152 152 0
1910 112 103 9
1909 130 125 5
1908 105 105 0
1907 131 115 16
1906 85 85 0
1905 75 75 0
1904 95 89 6
1903 84 76 8
1902 97 91 6
1901 80 73 7
1900 72 66 6
1899 91 83 8
1898 90 80 10
1897 88 81 7
1896 95 87 8
1895 95 88 7
1894 53 53 0
1893 83 74 9
1892 52 52 0
1891 67 59 8
1890 66 56 10
1889 72 65 7
1888 68 62 6
1887 39 34 5
1886 56 56 0
1885 36 36 0
1884 36 36 0
1883 25 25 0
1882 38 38 0
1881 28 28 0
1880 36 36 0

Top States for Forrest (2024)

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
CA 70
9%
TX 63
8%
FL 40
5%
TN 34
4%
NC 31
4%
PA 30
4%
CO 30
4%
GA 29
4%
MI 27
4%
OH 27
4%
IN 24
3%
WA 23
3%
AZ 23
3%
MO 22
3%
WI 22
3%
VA 21
3%
MN 20
3%
KY 20
3%
NY 18
2%
IL 18
2%
IA 16
2%
AL 13
2%
OK 13
2%
KS 13
2%
OR 13
2%
MA 12
2%
AR 11
1%
LA 11
1%
SC 11
1%
UT 9
1%
ME 8
1%
MT 7
1%
WV 7
1%
SD 6
1%
NM 6
1%
MS 5
1%
MD 5
1%
NH 5
1%