"dweller near the forest, woodland"
Origin: Old French/Latin
Language: English
Forest
Pronunciation: [ f-AWR-uhst ]
Does Forest flow with your last name?
Where fairy tales begin — a name rooted in ancient woods
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Meaning & Origin
"outside wood, royal hunting ground"
Origin: Medieval Latin forestis
Language: Latin
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Things to Know About This Name
- May evoke Forrest Gump (though alternate spelling) for some parents — generally viewed as charming rather than negative
The Story of Forest
Forest derives from the Old French 'forest' and Medieval Latin 'forestis' (silva), meaning 'outside wood' — a royal hunting ground beyond the settled land. The word entered English via the Norman conquest in 1066. As a given name, Forest/Forrest began as a surname (meaning one who lived near or worked in the forest) before transitioning to use as a first name in 19th century America.
Forest as a girl's name is part of the 2010s-2020s surge in nature names for girls — joining Ivy, Willow, Hazel, and River. The feminine use is notably rarer than Forrest for boys (popularized by Forrest Gump in 1994), giving it a fresh, unexpected quality. It appeals to parents seeking gender-neutral nature names with a literary feel.
The forest holds deep symbolic significance across world cultures — from the enchanted woods of European fairy tales (Grimm, Perrault) to the sacred groves of Celtic druids and the Japanese concept of Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing). Choosing Forest as a name connects a child to these traditions of natural wisdom and wonder.
Historical Record
Forest first appeared in US Social Security records in 1951.
Over 273 babies have been named Forest in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Forest is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #6,292 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The word 'forest' originally meant a royal hunting reserve, not just any woodland
- Forest bathing (Shinrin-yoku) was developed in Japan in the 1980s and is now a recognized wellness practice
- In medieval Europe, stealing from the King's forest was punishable by death — forests were precious beyond their trees
Forest in Other Languages
French
Forêt
German
Forst/Wald
Italian
Foresta
Spanish
Bosque
Japanese
フォレスト
Popularity Over Time
#6,292
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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Compare Forest with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #6,292
- Total SSA Count
- 19
- Cultural Origins
- English American French
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Flo
Fori
Resi
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Forest
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Forest is also used as a boy name, ranked #725.
View Forest as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Forest
What does the name Forest mean?
"dweller near the forest, woodland" (from Old French/Latin). "outside wood, royal hunting ground" (from Medieval Latin forestis). Forest derives from the Old French 'forest' and Medieval Latin 'forestis' (silva), meaning 'outside wood' — a royal hunting ground beyond the settled land. The word entered English via the Norman conquest in 1066. As a given name, Forest/Forrest began as a surname (meaning one who lived near or worked in the forest) before transitioning to use as a first name in 19th century America.
What is the origin of the name Forest?
Forest has Old French/Latin, Medieval Latin forestis, English, American, and French origins. In Old French/Latin, it means "dweller near the forest, woodland". In Medieval Latin forestis, it means "outside wood, royal hunting ground".
Is Forest a boy or girl name?
Forest is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #6292. As a boy name, it is ranked #725. Forest is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Forest?
Forest is pronounced f-AWR-uhst.
How popular is the name Forest?
Forest is currently ranked #6292 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Forest?
Common nicknames for Forest include Flo, Fori, and Resi.
What are good middle names for Forest?
Popular middle name pairings include Forest Rain, Forest Jade, Forest Wren, Forest Blue, Forest Sage, Forest Dawn, and Forest Mae.
What are good sibling names for Forest?
Names that pair well with Forest as siblings include River, Sage, Willow, Rowan, Brook, Stone, Meadow, and Cedar.
How many syllables does Forest have?
Forest has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Forest a common or rare name?
Forest is an uncommon name, ranked #6292 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Forest?
Are there other spellings for Forest?
Related spellings include Forever.
About the Name Forest
Forest is a girl name with English, American, and French origins . The name means "dweller near the forest, woodland" in Old French/Latin .
Is Forest a boy or girl name? Forest is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #6,292 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #725. Forest is more commonly used as a boy name.
Forest is currently ranked #6,292 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Forest has 2 syllables and is pronounced f-AWR-uhst, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Forest include Flo, Fori, and Resi. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Forest include Forever . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis