Forrest
How to say it: FOR-ist · /ˈfɔrɪst/
From the English word and Old French 'forest', meaning woodland. Used as a given name from the 19th century.
Forrest was the 297th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 850 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1910s, its births are up 2.3-fold in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #232 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #297 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 850 |
| Share of births | 1 in 2,776 |
| Peak decade | 1910s |
| Change over 10 years | ×2.3 |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #232 |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
After fading almost out of sight by the 2000s, Forrest returned toward its 1910s height. Now close to that level, it appears ready to rise again.
What goes with it
Breathy and wooded, Forrest carries a clear nature feeling. Wilder echoes that outdoors quality.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Forrest is about 1 in 116.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, French.
England and Wales: #475.
Famous people named Forrest
- Forrest Griffin (born 1979)American mixed martial artist
- Forrest Goodluck (born 1998)American actor
- Forrest J Ackerman (1916–2008)American collector of science fiction books and movie memorabilia
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
Good to know
- Forrest Gump (1994, Tom Hanks) dominates the name, including the Run Forrest run catchphrase.
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