"of the forest; woodland"
Origin: Old French
Language: English
Forest
Pronunciation: [ f-AWR-uhst ]
Does Forest flow with your last name?
A wild, rooted name straight from nature's heart
English
American
French
Earthy
Modern
Unique
Bold
Whimsical
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Forest
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"dweller by the woods"
Origin: Medieval Latin
Language: Latin
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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.
Historical Record
Forest first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 8,668 babies have been named Forest in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Forest is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #725 for boy names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#725
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Forest
F
Forest Whitaker
Actor
1961
Academy Award-winning American actor and filmmaker known for 'The Last King of Scotland'
F
Forrest Tucker
Actor
1919
American actor known for the TV series 'F Troop'
F
Forrest Gump Fictional
Other
Fictional protagonist of Winston Groom's 1986 novel and the beloved 1994 Tom Hanks film
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See all →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
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
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 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 Girl Name
Forest is also used as a girl name, ranked #6292.
View Forest as a girl name →Similar Names
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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.
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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