Forest

Pronunciation: [ f-AWR-uhst ]

Boy Name #725 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

A wild, rooted name straight from nature's heart

English American French

Earthy Modern Unique Bold Whimsical

Meaning & Origin

"of the forest; woodland"

Origin: Old French

Language: English

"dweller by the woods"

Origin: Medieval Latin

Language: Latin

The Story of Forest

Forest derives from the Old French 'forest' and Medieval Latin 'foresta,' meaning woodland preserved for hunting. The word entered Middle English after the Norman Conquest of 1066. As a given name, Forest emerged as part of the 20th-century nature-name trend, reflecting a desire to connect children with the natural world.

Forest gained visibility through 'Forrest Gump' (1994), though the alternate spelling Forrest dominated. The single-r spelling Forest aligns better with the modern nature name aesthetic preferred by parents seeking earthy, outdoor-inspired names alongside River, Sage, and Brooks.

In many cultures forests hold spiritual significance — from Celtic sacred groves to Japanese Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing). Naming a child Forest invokes these ancient connections to nature and wilderness.

Fun Facts

'Forrest' with double-r ranked #365 in the US in 2022, largely due to Forrest Gump's cultural impact
Forest names are part of a broader 'nature name' trend that has grown 60% since 2010

Forest in Other Languages

French Forêt

German Wald

Italian Foresta

Spanish Bosque

Japanese フォレスト

Famous People Named Forest

Forest Whitaker

Actor

1961

Academy Award-winning American actor and filmmaker known for 'The Last King of Scotland'

Forrest Tucker

Actor

1919

American actor known for the TV series 'F Troop'

Forrest Gump Fictional

Other

Fictional protagonist of Winston Groom's 1986 novel and the beloved 1994 Tom Hanks film

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #725
Total SSA Count: 361
Cultural Origins: English American French
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Forry Woody

Pairs Well With

Forest James Forest Lee Forest Cole Forest Reed Forest Dale Forest Blake Forest Glen

Sibling Names

River Sage Willow Birch Heath Clover Brooks

Also a Girl Name

Forest is also used as a girl name, ranked #6292.

View Forest as a girl name →

Similar Names

Chester Forrest Prosper Woods Everest Forever Everest Honest

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Forest

What does the name Forest mean?

"of the forest; woodland" (from Old French). "dweller by the woods" (from Medieval Latin). Forest derives from the Old French 'forest' and Medieval Latin 'foresta,' meaning woodland preserved for hunting. The word entered Middle English after the Norman Conquest of 1066. As a given name, Forest emerged as part of the 20th-century nature-name trend, reflecting a desire to connect children with the natural world.

What is the origin of the name Forest?

Forest has Old French, Medieval Latin, English, American, and French origins. In Old French, it means "of the forest; woodland". In Medieval Latin, it means "dweller by the woods".

Is Forest a boy or girl name?

Forest is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #725. As a girl name, it is ranked #6292. 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 #725 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Forest?

Common nicknames for Forest include Forry and Woody.

What are good middle names for Forest?

Popular middle name pairings include Forest James, Forest Lee, Forest Cole, Forest Reed, Forest Dale, Forest Blake, and Forest Glen.

What are good sibling names for Forest?

Names that pair well with Forest as siblings include River, Sage, Willow, Birch, Heath, Clover, and Brooks.

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 moderately common, ranked #725 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Forest

Forest is a boy name with English, American, and French origins . The name means "of the forest; woodland" in Old French .

Is Forest a boy or girl name? Forest is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #725 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #6,292. Forest is more commonly used as a boy name.

Forest is currently ranked #725 in popularity for boy 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 Forry and Woody. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.