Forrest

Pronunciation: [ f-AWR-uhst ]

Boy Name #408 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

Run, Forrest — from silver screen to woodland revival

English American

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Meaning & Origin

"dweller near the woods"

Origin: Old French

Language: English

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.

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

Famous People Named Forrest

Forrest Gump Fictional

Other

Beloved fictional protagonist of the 1994 film Forrest Gump, played by Tom Hanks; iconic for kindness and perseverance

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

Pairs Well With

Forrest James Forrest William Forrest Thomas Forrest Reed Forrest Knox Forrest Gale Forrest Lee

Sibling Names

Scout River Sage Wren Clover Brooks

Also a Girl Name

Forrest is also used as a girl name, ranked #10734.

View Forrest as a girl name →

Similar Names

Maurice Forest Hollis Prosper Moises Woods Everest

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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.