Woods

Pronunciation: [ w-OODZ ]

Boy Name #1,762 Most Popular Hidden Gem 1 Syllable

Deep-rooted, wild, and naturally strong

American English

Earthy Bold Modern Strong

Meaning & Origin

"from the forest, woodland dweller"

Origin: Old English

Language: English

Things to Know About This Name

Strongly associated with golfer Tiger Woods (real name Eldrick Tont Woods) — child will consistently face comparisons and golf references

The Story of Woods

Woods is a simple English surname derived from the Old English wudu, meaning 'forest' or 'trees,' describing someone who lived near or in a forest. Wudu appears in Old English texts dating to the 8th century, including Beowulf. As a given name, Woods follows the contemporary trend of nature-based surnames used as first names, emphasizing ruggedness, naturalness, and environmental connection.

Woods as a given name gained traction in the 2010s alongside other nature-word names like River, Brooks, Forest, and Stone. Tiger Woods's dominance of golf made the surname universally recognizable, though parents using Woods as a first name are more likely drawing on nature imagery than the golfer's legacy.

Forest and woodland names carry deep resonance in American culture, evoking frontier independence, Thoreau-style self-reliance, and a connection to the natural world. Woods fits within a tradition of nature names that includes Forest, River, Brook, and Stone.

Fun Facts

Tiger Woods's real first name is Eldrick — 'Tiger' is his lifelong nickname given by his father
The Old English wudu survives in dozens of English surnames: Woods, Woodward, Woodman, Woodside

Woods in Other Languages

French Bois

German Wald

English Forest

Spanish Bosque

Famous People Named Woods

Tiger Woods (Eldrick Tont Woods)

Athlete

1975

American professional golfer widely regarded as one of the greatest in history, with 15 Major championships

James Woods

Actor

1947

American actor known for Salvador, Once Upon a Time in America, and Casino

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 1
Popularity Rank: #1,762
Total SSA Count: 94
Cultural Origins: American English
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Alternative Spellings

Woodrow #1690 Woodson #2738

Nicknames

Woo Woy Wooie

Pairs Well With

Woods River Woods Stone Woods James Woods Alexander Woods Bear Woods Finn Woods Cole

Sibling Names

River Brooks Forest Wilder Sage Stone Reed

Also a Girl Name

Woods is also used as a girl name, ranked #39543.

View Woods as a girl name →

Similar Names

Forrest Forest Creed Reese Reid Reeves Brock Everest

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Frequently Asked Questions About Woods

What does the name Woods mean?

"from the forest, woodland dweller" (from Old English). Woods is a simple English surname derived from the Old English wudu, meaning 'forest' or 'trees,' describing someone who lived near or in a forest. Wudu appears in Old English texts dating to the 8th century, including Beowulf. As a given name, Woods follows the contemporary trend of nature-based surnames used as first names, emphasizing ruggedness, naturalness, and environmental connection.

What is the origin of the name Woods?

Woods has Old English, American, and English origins. In Old English, it means "from the forest, woodland dweller".

Is Woods a boy or girl name?

Woods is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1762. As a girl name, it is ranked #39543. Woods is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Woods?

Woods is pronounced w-OODZ.

How popular is the name Woods?

Woods is currently ranked #1762 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Woods?

Common nicknames for Woods include Woo, Woy, and Wooie.

What are good middle names for Woods?

Popular middle name pairings include Woods River, Woods Stone, Woods James, Woods Alexander, Woods Bear, Woods Finn, and Woods Cole.

What are good sibling names for Woods?

Names that pair well with Woods as siblings include River, Brooks, Forest, Wilder, Sage, Stone, and Reed.

How many syllables does Woods have?

Woods has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Woods a common or rare name?

Woods is an uncommon name, ranked #1762 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Woods

Woods is a boy name with American and English origins . The name means "from the forest, woodland dweller" in Old English .

Is Woods a boy or girl name? Woods is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,762 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #39,543. Woods is more commonly used as a boy name.

Woods is currently ranked #1,762 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Woods has 1 syllable and is pronounced w-OODZ, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Woods include Woo, Woy, and Wooie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Woods include Woodrow, Woodson . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.