"dweller near the woods"
Origin: Old French
Language: English
Forrest
Pronunciation: [ f-AWR-uhst ]
Does Forrest flow with your last name?
Run, Forrest — from silver screen to woodland revival
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Bold
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Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with Forrest Gump (1994) — generally a beloved association
The Story of Forrest
Forrest (also spelled Forest) comes from the Old French 'forest', meaning 'outside the enclosure' — referring to woodland outside cultivated fields. It entered English after the Norman Conquest. As a surname, it referred to someone who lived near or worked in a forest. The -rr spelling is the rarer, more distinctive form used as a given name.
Forrest experienced a huge cultural moment with the 1994 film Forrest Gump (6 Academy Awards including Best Picture). Today, Forrest is rising as part of the nature name and vintage name revival, alongside names like River, Brooks, and Sage.
Forrest Gump (1994) gave this name an indelible cultural imprint — the character's innocence, determination, and witness to American history has made the name synonymous with goodhearted perseverance.
Historical Record
Forrest first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 30,059 babies have been named Forrest in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Forrest is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #408 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Tom Hanks won his second consecutive Academy Award for Best Actor for Forrest Gump (1994)
- Forrest Gump was named after Nathan Bedford Forrest, a Confederate general — addressed in the film's opening
- Forrest (with two Rs) was originally a surname, adopted as a given name to honor ancestors
Forrest in Other Languages
French
Forêt
German
Forst
Italian
Foresta
Spanish
Bosque
Japanese
フォレスト
Popularity Over Time
#408
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Forrest
F
Forrest Gump Fictional
Other
Beloved fictional protagonist of the 1994 film Forrest Gump, played by Tom Hanks; iconic for kindness and perseverance
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #408
- Total SSA Count
- 788
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Forry
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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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, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Forrest
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Forrest is also used as a girl name, ranked #10734.
View Forrest as a girl name →Similar Names
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"free man"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Forrest
What does the name Forrest mean?
"dweller near the woods" (from Old French). Forrest (also spelled Forest) comes from the Old French 'forest', meaning 'outside the enclosure' — referring to woodland outside cultivated fields. It entered English after the Norman Conquest. As a surname, it referred to someone who lived near or worked in a forest. The -rr spelling is the rarer, more distinctive form used as a given name.
What is the origin of the name Forrest?
Forrest has Old French, English, and American origins. In Old French, it means "dweller near the woods".
Is Forrest a boy or girl name?
Forrest is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #408. As a girl name, it is ranked #10734. Forrest is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Forrest?
Forrest is pronounced f-AWR-uhst.
How popular is the name Forrest?
Forrest is currently ranked #408 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Forrest?
Common nicknames for Forrest include Forry.
What are good middle names for Forrest?
Popular middle name pairings include Forrest James, Forrest William, Forrest Thomas, Forrest Reed, Forrest Knox, Forrest Gale, and Forrest Lee.
What are good sibling names for Forrest?
Names that pair well with Forrest as siblings include Scout, River, Sage, Wren, Clover, and Brooks.
How many syllables does Forrest have?
Forrest has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Forrest a common or rare name?
Forrest is a popular name, ranked #408 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Forrest
Forrest is a boy name with English and American origins . The name means "dweller near the woods" in Old French .
Is Forrest a boy or girl name? Forrest is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #408 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #10,734. Forrest is more commonly used as a boy name.
Forrest is currently ranked #408 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Forrest has 2 syllables and is pronounced f-AWR-uhst, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Forrest include Forry. 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