Forrest: Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, and More

Fact: The double ‘r’ in Forrest distinguishes it from the more common single ‘r’ spelling, Forest, often used as both a given name and a surname.

Forrest Overview

Meaning

Woodland, forest

Gender

Boy

Origin

English, Scottish

Etymology

Derived from the English and Scottish language

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈfɒrɪst/

Popularity

Forrest has maintained a steady presence in the United States and is also known in countries like Canada and Australia. In the USA, Forrest ranked 427th for boys in 2023

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

7 letters

Numerology

11 (Intuitive, Idealistic, Spiritual)

Name Styles

Nature-inspired, Classic, Cool

Associated Traits

Strong, natural, adventurous, resilient

Name Day

July 1st (Sweden)

Forrest Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Forest, Forrester, Forester, Foster, Wood

Common Nicknames

Woody, Forry, Russ, Fo

Diminutives

For, Resto, Foz

Famous People

Forrest Mars Sr.
(American Entrepreneur)
Forrest J. Ackerman
(American Writer)
Forrest Tucker
(American Actor)
Forrest Landis
(American Actor)
Forrest Griffin
(American MMA Fighter)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

Forrest Gates
("Buffy the Vampire Slayer," TV Series)
Forrest MacNeil
("Review," TV Series)
Forrest Taft
("On Deadly Ground," Film)

Places

Forrest River
(Western Australia, Australia)
Forrest County
(Mississippi, USA)
Forrest Beach
(Queensland, Australia)
Forrest Highway
(Western Australia, Australia)

What Is the Meaning of Forrest?

The name Forrest means “woodland” or “forest,” bringing to mind a serene and natural environment. Individuals with this name are thought to have a calming presence and a deep appreciation for nature.

What Is the Origin of The Name Forrest?

Forrest is of English and Scottish origin, derived from the Old French word “forest,” meaning a large area of trees and undergrowth. It started as a surname for people living near or working in a forest before becoming a given name.

Forrest Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Forrest in the U.S. over the Years

United States	#4142021	#4032022	#4272023
Top 3 Rankings	#1731913	#1741899	#1741918

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Forrest

Year	Name Ranking	Number of Births	Birth Rate (%)
2023	427 (-24 from 2022)	737 (-56 from 2022)	0.04025
2022	403 (+11 from 2021)	793 (+49 from 2021)	0.04234
2021	414 (+48 from 2020)	744 (+106 from 2020)	0.03971
2020	462 (+30 from 2019)	638 (+56 from 2019)	0.03449
2019	492 (+78 from 2018)	582 (+99 from 2018)	0.03028
2018	570 (+24 from 2017)	483 (+24 from 2017)	0.02485
2017	594 (+37 from 2016)	459 (+36 from 2016)	0.02319
2016	631 (+29 from 2015)	423 (+32 from 2015)	0.02088
2015	660 (+53 from 2014)	391 (+53 from 2014)	0.01913
2014	713 (+120 from 2013)	338 (+81 from 2013)	0.01649
2013	833 (+347 from 2012)	257 (+103 from 2012)	0.01272
2012	1180 (-54 from 2011)	154 (-7 from 2011)	0.00759
2011	1126 (+17 from 2010)	161 (-1 from 2010)	0.00793
2010	1143 (-31 from 2009)	162 (-4 from 2009)	0.00789
2009	1112 (+222 from 2008)	166 (+37 from 2008)	0.00783
2008	1334 (-97 from 2007)	129 (-13 from 2007)	0.00592
2007	1237 (-88 from 2006)	142 (-5 from 2006)	0.00641
2006	1149 (-56 from 2005)	147 (-4 from 2005)	0.00671
2005	1093 (-59 from 2004)	151 (-7 from 2004)	0.00710
2004	1034 (-157 from 2003)	158 (-37 from 2003)	0.00748
2003	877 (-22 from 2002)	195 (+1 from 2002)	0.00928
2002	855 (-47 from 2001)	194 (-13 from 2001)	0.00939
2001	808 (-111 from 2000)	207 (-45 from 2000)	0.01001
2000	697 (-38 from 1999)	252 (-10 from 1999)	0.01207
1999	659 (-42 from 1998)	262 (-34 from 1998)	0.01285
1998	617 (-79 from 1997)	296 (-74 from 1997)	0.01460
1997	538 (-49 from 1996)	370 (-61 from 1996)	0.01852
1996	489 (-180 from 1995)	431 (-427 from 1995)	0.02151
1995	309 (-92 from 1994)	858 (-485 from 1994)	0.04266
1994	217 (+74 from 1993)	1343 (+395 from 1993)	0.06589
1993	291 (+25 from 1992)	948 (+116 from 1992)	0.04590
1992	316 (+55 from 1991)	832 (+212 from 1991)	0.03963
1991	371 (+50 from 1990)	620 (+78 from 1990)	0.02925
1990	421 (+17 from 1989)	542 (+81 from 1989)	0.02519
1989	438 (+10 from 1988)	461 (+57 from 1988)	0.02199
1988	448 (+9 from 1987)	404 (+27 from 1987)	0.02018
1987	457 (+19 from 1986)	377 (+46 from 1986)	0.01933
1986	476 (+15 from 1985)	331 (+21 from 1985)	0.01722
1985	491 (+5 from 1984)	310 (+22 from 1984)	0.01611
1984	496 (-23 from 1983)	288 (-25 from 1983)	0.01535
1983	473 (-22 from 1982)	313 (-46 from 1982)	0.01680
1982	451 (+19 from 1981)	359 (+47 from 1981)	0.01902
1981	470 (-8 from 1980)	312 (-21 from 1980)	0.01675
1980	462 No change from 1979	333 (+17 from 1979)	0.01795
1979	462 (-15 from 1978)	316 (-1 from 1978)	0.01764
1978	447 (+5 from 1977)	317 (+2 from 1977)	0.01855
1977	452 (+19 from 1976)	315 (+36 from 1976)	0.01843
1976	471 (+9 from 1975)	279 (+2 from 1975)	0.01709
1975	480 (-4 from 1974)	277 (-3 from 1974)	0.01707
1974	476 (+50 from 1973)	280 (+58 from 1973)	0.01718
1973	526 (-51 from 1972)	222 (-51 from 1972)	0.01376
1972	475 (-18 from 1971)	273 (-43 from 1971)	0.01631
1971	457 (+4 from 1970)	316 (+5 from 1970)	0.01738
1970	461 (-3 from 1969)	311 (+34 from 1969)	0.01633
1969	458 (-10 from 1968)	277 (-19 from 1968)	0.01514
1968	448 (-12 from 1967)	296 (-6 from 1967)	0.01667
1967	436 (+6 from 1966)	302 (+2 from 1966)	0.01697
1966	442 (-23 from 1965)	300 (-48 from 1965)	0.01651
1965	419 (-8 from 1964)	348 (-34 from 1964)	0.01837
1964	411 (-9 from 1963)	382 (-22 from 1963)	0.01885
1963	402 (-24 from 1962)	404 (-48 from 1962)	0.01957
1962	378 (+5 from 1961)	452 (+24 from 1961)	0.02151
1961	383 (+13 from 1960)	428 (+29 from 1960)	0.01984
1960	396 (-18 from 1959)	399 (-38 from 1959)	0.01843
1959	378 (+6 from 1958)	437 (+25 from 1958)	0.02017
1958	384 (-31 from 1957)	412 (-49 from 1957)	0.01912
1957	353 (-2 from 1956)	461 (+20 from 1956)	0.02106
1956	351 (-22 from 1955)	441 (-63 from 1955)	0.02055
1955	329 (-8 from 1954)	504 (+1 from 1954)	0.02411
1954	321 (+4 from 1953)	503 (+27 from 1953)	0.02431
1953	325 (-12 from 1952)	476 (-42 from 1952)	0.02377
1952	313 (-1 from 1951)	518 (+17 from 1951)	0.02625
1951	312 (+9 from 1950)	501 (+43 from 1950)	0.02621
1950	321 (-3 from 1949)	458 (-1 from 1949)	0.02518
1949	318 (+3 from 1948)	459 (+27 from 1948)	0.02547
1948	321 (-16 from 1947)	432 (-81 from 1947)	0.02423
1947	305 (-14 from 1946)	513 (+20 from 1946)	0.02762
1946	291 (-6 from 1945)	493 (+52 from 1945)	0.02987
1945	285 (-9 from 1944)	441 (-25 from 1944)	0.03216
1944	276 (+12 from 1943)	466 (+16 from 1943)	0.03355
1943	288 (+12 from 1942)	450 (+38 from 1942)	0.03094
1942	300 (-22 from 1941)	412 (-14 from 1941)	0.02926
1941	278 No change from 1940	426 (+19 from 1940)	0.03395
1940	278 (-9 from 1939)	407 (-7 from 1939)	0.03431
1939	269 (+8 from 1938)	414 (+11 from 1938)	0.03653
1938	277 (-14 from 1937)	403 (-17 from 1937)	0.03546
1937	263 (+9 from 1936)	420 (+27 from 1936)	0.03840
1936	272 (-8 from 1935)	393 (-29 from 1935)	0.03693
1935	264 (+4 from 1934)	422 (+10 from 1934)	0.03945
1934	268 (-23 from 1933)	412 (-42 from 1933)	0.03880
1933	245 (-7 from 1932)	454 (-44 from 1932)	0.04450
1932	238 (+5 from 1931)	498 (+25 from 1931)	0.04635
1931	243 (-2 from 1930)	473 (-59 from 1930)	0.04421
1930	241 (-31 from 1929)	532 (-71 from 1929)	0.04710
1929	210 (+20 from 1928)	603 (+32 from 1928)	0.05444
1928	230 (-11 from 1927)	571 (-39 from 1927)	0.05004
1927	219 (-15 from 1926)	610 (-70 from 1926)	0.05250
1926	204 (+8 from 1925)	680 (+32 from 1925)	0.05937
1925	212 (-12 from 1924)	648 (-47 from 1924)	0.05628
1924	200 (-14 from 1923)	695 (-63 from 1923)	0.05945
1923	186 (-4 from 1922)	758 (-14 from 1922)	0.06694
1922	182 (-2 from 1921)	772 (-9 from 1921)	0.06861
1921	180 (-2 from 1920)	781 (-11 from 1920)	0.06863
1920	178 (+7 from 1919)	792 (+106 from 1919)	0.07195
1919	185 (-11 from 1918)	686 (-71 from 1918)	0.06756
1918	174 (+9 from 1917)	757 (+94 from 1917)	0.07219
1917	183 No change from 1916	663 (+11 from 1916)	0.06911
1916	183 (-7 from 1915)	652 (+9 from 1915)	0.07062
1915	176 No change from 1914	643 (+142 from 1914)	0.07299
1914	176 (-3 from 1913)	501 (+106 from 1913)	0.07332
1913	173 (+14 from 1912)	395 (+87 from 1912)	0.07366
1912	187 (+11 from 1911)	308 (+156 from 1911)	0.06822
1911	198 (+31 from 1910)	152 (+49 from 1910)	0.06297
1910	229 (-47 from 1909)	103 (-22 from 1909)	0.04940
1909	182 (+14 from 1908)	125 (+20 from 1908)	0.07068
1908	196 (-9 from 1907)	105 (-10 from 1907)	0.06311
1907	187 (+18 from 1906)	115 (+30 from 1906)	0.07252
1906	205 (+16 from 1905)	85 (+10 from 1905)	0.05900
1905	221 (-24 from 1904)	75 (-14 from 1904)	0.05236
1904	197 (+7 from 1903)	89 (+13 from 1903)	0.06426
1903	204 (-21 from 1902)	76 (-15 from 1902)	0.05877
1902	183 (+13 from 1901)	91 (+18 from 1901)	0.06855
1901	196 (+55 from 1900)	73 (+7 from 1900)	0.06315
1900	251 (-77 from 1899)	66 (-17 from 1899)	0.04071
1899	174 (+15 from 1898)	83 (+3 from 1898)	0.07205
1898	189 (+2 from 1897)	80 (-1 from 1897)	0.06056
1897	191 (-5 from 1896)	81 (-6 from 1896)	0.06643
1896	186 (-6 from 1895)	87 (-1 from 1895)	0.06741
1895	180 (+57 from 1894)	88 (+35 from 1894)	0.06949
1894	237 (-41 from 1893)	53 (-21 from 1893)	0.04244
1893	196 (+50 from 1892)	74 (+22 from 1892)	0.06114
1892	246 (-42 from 1891)	52 (-7 from 1891)	0.03956
1891	204 (+17 from 1890)	59 (+3 from 1890)	0.05400
1890	221 (-21 from 1889)	56 (-9 from 1889)	0.04678
1889	200 (+23 from 1888)	65 (+3 from 1888)	0.05461
1888	223 (+53 from 1887)	62 (+28 from 1887)	0.04773
1887	276 (-50 from 1886)	34 (-22 from 1886)	0.03110
1886	226 (+51 from 1885)	56 (+20 from 1885)	0.04704
1885	277 (+11 from 1884)	36 No change from 1884	0.03105
1884	288 (+43 from 1883)	36 (+11 from 1883)	0.02933
1883	331 (-54 from 1882)	25 (-13 from 1882)	0.02223
1882	277 (+30 from 1881)	38 (+10 from 1881)	0.03114
1881	307 (-27 from 1880)	28 (-8 from 1880)	0.02586
1880	280 First SSA data recorded	36 First SSA data recorded	0.03041

American States Popularity Rankings for Forrest

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

#4392021

#4422022

#5362023

Texas (TX)

#5502021

#6692022

#5132023

Ohio (OH)

#3952021

#3582022

#3862023

Illinois (IL)

#4502021

#5082022

#4542023

Pennsylvania (PA)

#4252021

#5072022

#4012023

Missouri (MO)

#2532021

#2332022

#3592023

Indiana (IN)

#4442021

#2862022

#4182023

North Carolina (NC)

#5502021

#3682022

#3812023

Virginia (VA)

#4042021

#3782022

#3512023

Georgia (GA)

#4402021

#3932022

#5972023

Michigan (MI)

#3202021

#2862022

#2642023

Washington (WA)

#2462021

#2542022

#2172023

Florida (FL)

#7062021

#5312022

#5942023

Tennessee (TN)

#3522021

#3562022

#3052023

Oklahoma (OK)

#4732021

#2752022

#2662023

Alabama (AL)

#3192021

#3772022

#3492023

Kentucky (KY)

#3172021

#2952022

#4052023

New York (NY)

#7652021

#6322022

#6552023

Iowa (IA)

#3662021

#3682022

#3122023

Kansas (KS)

#3302021

#2832022

#3062023

Oregon (OR)

#4252021

#1752022

#2342023

Wisconsin (WI)

#2772021

#2302022

#3372023

West Virginia (WV)

#3662019

#2512022

#2762023

Colorado (CO)

#2222021

#3382022

#2822023

Minnesota (MN)

#3642021

#2712022

#3402023

Arkansas (AR)

#3112021

#3062022

#5092023

Massachusetts (MA)

#3922021

#6312022

#5622023

Louisiana (LA)

#4322021

#5032022

#4342023

South Carolina (SC)

#4382021

#4962022

#6622023

Mississippi (MS)

#4912021

#4282022

#4852023

Arizona (AZ)

#3892021

#3632022

#4292023

Utah (UT)

#3702021

#3832022

#3612023

Maine (ME)

#1682020

#1742021

#1622023

New Jersey (NJ)

#8132019

#10352020

#6522021

Nebraska (NE)

#4602020

#3152021

#4622023

Idaho (ID)

#2362021

#2462022

#2882023

Maryland (MD)

#7442021

#4702022

#7352023

Montana (MT)

#1822021

#2092022

#1352023

New Hampshire (NH)

#1731995

#2342020

#2442021

North Dakota (ND)

#1291994

#1611995

#2512022

Alaska (AK)

#1952003

#1872020

#1902022

South Dakota (SD)

#2061955

#1851994

#2382020

New Mexico (NM)

#3661995

#3852018

#4002019

Vermont (VT)

#1092019

#952020

#1162021

Nevada (NV)

#4632021

#5192022

#5272023

Connecticut (CT)

#3521995

#4312001

#5292022

Wyoming (WY)

#1401963

#1441985

#1191994

District of Columbia (DC)

#2081948

#2491954

#2871958

Hawaii (HI)

#2851982

#2681994

#2532022

Delaware (DE)

#1481957

#1501970

Rhode Island (RI)

#1782019

Popularity Rankings for Forrest in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Canada

Canada

#3362021

#3762022

#2992023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

#3922020

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand

#4102017

#4372018

#4072022

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland

#4921979

#4642019

#4722022

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales

#5522019

#5792020

#5562021

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland

#7642019

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada

#9782019

#9602020

#7772022

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Forrest a Name for Boys or Girls?

Typically, Forrest is used as a male name. Its connection to the outdoors and traditional usage make it more common for boys.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Forrest

Forest
Forrester
Forester
Foster
Wood

Woody
Forry
Russ
Fo

For
Resto
Foz

Forrest in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

Forrest Mars Sr. (Entrepreneur, 1904-1999): An American businessman who founded the Mars candy company.
Forrest J. Ackerman (Writer, 1916-2008): An American writer and editor known for his work in science fiction.
Forrest Tucker (Actor, 1919-1986): An American actor best remembered for his roles in Westerns and television shows.
Forrest Landis (Actor, born 1994): An American actor known for his roles in family and teen movies.
Forrest Griffin (MMA Fighter, born 1979): An American mixed martial artist and former UFC champion.
Forrest Pogue (Historian, 1912-1996): An American military historian who chronicled World War II.
Forrest Towns (Athlete, 1914-1991): An American athlete who won gold in the 110-meter hurdles at the 1936 Olympics.

Forrest Gates ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer," 1997 TV Series): A member of the Initiative and Riley's friend who becomes involved in the fight against demons.
Forrest MacNeil ("Review," 2014 TV Series): A TV show host who reviews real-life experiences, often with disastrous results.
Forrest Taft ("On Deadly Ground," 1994 Film): An environmental agent who fights against an oil company destroying Alaska's wilderness.

Forrest River (Western Australia, Australia): A river in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, flowing into the Cambridge Gulf.
Forrest County (Mississippi, USA): A county located in the southern part of Mississippi, with Hattiesburg as its county seat.
Forrest Beach (Queensland, Australia): A coastal town in the Shire of Hinchinbrook, known for its beautiful beaches and proximity to the Great Barrier Reef.
Forrest Highway (Western Australia, Australia): A major highway running between Perth and Bunbury, providing a vital link for regional travel.

Ferris
Farrell
Foster
Floris
Forbes

Sylvan
Grove
Woodrow
Heath
Linden

Sibling Names for Forrest

For a Brother
For a Sister

Parents Who Like the Name Forrest Also Like

Enjoyed this? Give us a like, share it with friends, and keep scrolling for more fantastic names.

Helen Doanna

Editor in Chief, Educational Specialist, and Senior Content Creator

Expertise

Child Development Specialist, Child-care Coordinator, Family Support Specialist, Content Writer, Communications Specialist, Educational Consultant, STEAM Teacher

Education

1. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Literature and Journalism
Focus: In-depth knowledge of Literature, knowledge and skills to perceive, create literature or work in related fields; Basic knowledge of communications.

2. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Program: Bachelor’s degree in Education Faculty
Focus: Core knowledge of social sciences and humanities – the root for the development of progressive values of education, Multicultural communication in education, Contemporary education in the context of globalization, Learning in the digital technology era, Basic issues of STEAM education, Classroom Management, Special education.

3. Oregon State University, Oregan, US

Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Human Development and Family Sciences – Child Development
Focus: Different stages of development, from infancy to adulthood; Develop a strong foundation for a career in early childhood programs or classrooms; Learn strategies for supporting young children’s development in early childhood settings.

Helen is an experienced educational specialist and content creator, known for her innovative approach to children’s learning. With a background in literature and child development, she composes engaging educational content for SimpleKids.net. Her work emphasizes creativity, engagement, and simplicity, aiming to make learning enjoyable and accessible for children and their families.

Forrest Name Meaning