A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Forrest since 1880
Babies named Forrest per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1994, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Forrest's real moment was 1907.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 416 |
| 1890s | 713 |
| 1900s | 900 |
| 1910s | 4,860 |
| 1920s | 6,910 |
| 1930s | 4,421 |
| 1940s | 4,500 |
| 1950s | 4,710 |
| 1960s | 3,589 |
| 1970s | 2,906 |
| 1980s | 3,489 |
| 1990s | 6,502 |
| 2000s | 1,741 |
| 2010s | 3,413 |
| 2020s | 4,569 |
Meaning & origin
Forrest has a steady, outdoorsy appeal rooted in its English surname origin. First recorded in 1880, it reached its peak year in 1907 and has been rising again since 2007, suggesting a modern revival of interest. The name is particularly popular in states like Maine, North Dakota, and Kentucky. With a current 1-in-2,010 frequency, it remains distinctive without feeling obscure. Its revival trajectory reflects a broader trend toward nature-inspired names, making it a solid choice for parents seeking a name with both historical weight and fresh energy.
Forrest derives from the Old French word "forest," meaning a wooded area, brought to England after the Norman Conquest. It was originally a surname given to someone who lived near or worked in a royal forest, and later adopted as a given name in the 19th century.
Where Forrest 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.
“Forrest” around the world
Where Forrest lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
New Zealand
12
babies in 2025
Sources: NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Forry
Variants: Forest
Sibling names for Forrest
Names that share Forrest's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Hazel, Willow, Cora, Ivy, Mae, Aspen, Oaklee, Auburn, Rain, Sequoia, Shasta, Spring, Stormie, Tawny, Timber, Acadia, Arbor, Astoria, Island, Pebbles, Prairie, Sativa, Arbutus, Leather, Mahagony, Evergreen, Fawna, Forrestine, Free, Timberlee
Brothers: Wesley, Sterling, Miles, Everett, Graham, Heath, River, Canyon, Alder, Cypress, Elder, Lake, Park, Rock, Summit, Walden, Bracken, Branch, Creek, Harvard, Stonewall, Thorne, Banyan, Miner, Oaken, Acer, Brookes, Bruk, Field, Grove, Woodruff
Names like Forrest
Names whose popularity has moved with Forrest's over the last 50 years.
