A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Forest since 1880
Babies named Forest per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2022, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Forest's real moment was 1893.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 298 |
| 1890s | 470 |
| 1900s | 541 |
| 1910s | 2,125 |
| 1920s | 2,562 |
| 1930s | 1,493 |
| 1940s | 1,276 |
| 1950s | 1,037 |
| 1960s | 779 |
| 1970s | 758 |
| 1980s | 787 |
| 1990s | 1,467 |
| 2000s | 657 |
| 2010s | 1,448 |
| 2020s | 2,086 |
Meaning & origin
Forest is a nature name that saw its earliest recorded use in 1880. It peaked in popularity in 1893, but then fell out of common use for decades. Since 2005, however, Forest has been rising again, reflecting a broader trend toward nature-inspired names. The name is especially favored in states like Maine, New Hampshire, and Oregon, which are known for their wooded landscapes. Parents today may appreciate its simple, evocative connection to the outdoors.
Forest derives from the Old French 'forest', ultimately from Latin 'forestis silva', meaning 'outside woods'. It was originally a surname for someone who lived near or worked in a royal forest. As a given name, it came into occasional use in the 19th century, influenced by the Romantic fascination with nature.
Where Forest is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Forrie, Frost
Variants: Forrest
Sibling names for Forest
Names that share Forest's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Hazel, Willow, Ivy, Laurel, Rose, Meadow, Sommer, Autum, Harbor, Honey, Mahogany, Raine, Apple, Harvest, Lively, Moon, Nature, Rainbow, Rainn, Rainy, Trellis, Valley, Bloom, Burgundy, Autumm, Flower, Morning, Riverlee, Riverly, Roseland, Summerrose, Sunflower, Sunshyne
Brothers: River, Heath, Cliff, Glen, Oak, Ocean, Haskell, Rivers, Brier, Deforest, Glade, Marsh, Woods, Oakes, Oaks, Fountain
