A 1910s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Forrester since 1915
Babies named Forrester per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1994, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Forrester's real moment was 1915.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 12 |
| 1920s | 0 |
| 1930s | 6 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 5 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 45 |
| 2000s | 15 |
| 2010s | 17 |
| 2020s | 11 |
Meaning & origin
Forrester is an English occupational surname turned given name, evoking images of woodland guardians and natural landscapes. First recorded as a given name in 1915, its peak usage occurred in that same year, after which it faded into obscurity. However, since 2022, the name has been on a rising trajectory, likely driven by the broader trend of reviving vintage surnames and nature-inspired names. In 2025, Forrester ranked 10695th, with about 1 in 284,679 babies receiving the name, making it a distinctive choice for parents seeking a rare but grounded name.
Forrester is an English occupational surname derived from Middle English 'forester', meaning a person who managed or guarded a forest. It originally referred to an official responsible for the king's forest, later becoming a hereditary surname. As a given name, it has been used since at least the early 20th century, with a notable revival in recent years.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Forry
Sibling names for Forrester
Names that share Forrester's style, for a brother or sister.
