A 1920s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Orest since 1916
Babies named Orest per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1952, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Orest's real moment was 1921.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 18 |
| 1920s | 28 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 5 |
| 1950s | 132 |
| 1960s | 56 |
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 5 |
| 2010s | 17 |
| 2020s | 44 |
Meaning & origin
Orest is a name of ancient Greek origin, borne by the mythological hero Orestes. Recorded in U.S. birth data since 1916, its popularity peaked early in 1921. After decades of decline, the name has shown a recent resurgence, rising in usage since 2020. As of 2025, it holds rank 5608, with a rarity of about 1 in 106,755 births, and is most commonly given in Washington state. The revival reflects a broader interest in classical and mythological names.
Orest derives from the Greek name Orestes, composed of 'oros' (mountain) and the suffix '-tes' denoting an inhabitant, thus 'mountain dweller'. In Greek mythology, Orestes was the son of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, known for avenging his father's murder. The name has been used in Eastern Orthodox cultures and appears in Ukrainian and Russian forms.
Where Orest is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ozzy, Orie
Sibling names for Orest
Names that share Orest's style, for a brother or sister.
