Boy · 527th of 23,106
Forrest
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
53,824
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1994
Peak Popularity Year
1,381
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Forrest stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Forrest has its origins in Old French, meaning 'woods' or 'forest'. It evolved through different forms in the English language and has come to represent a connection to nature. While it has no biblical relevance, it gained popularity as a first name in the late 19th century. The name often conveys traits of serenity and strength, and it has been popularized by notable figures and cultural references.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈfɔːrɪst/
Origin
Old French
Etymology
The name Forrest is derived from the Old French word 'forest', which means 'woods' or 'forest'. It was originally used as a surname for someone who lived near or in a forest.
Meaning
woods, forest
Language Evolution
Old French: forest, Middle English: forrest, Modern English: Forrest
Historical Usage
Forrest gained popularity as a given name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, partly influenced by the popularity of surnames being used as first names.
Variants & Derivatives
Forest, Forester
Modern Popularity & Image
The name Forrest is often associated with nature and tranquility and has gained a positive image, especially due to cultural influences like literature and film.
Famous People
Forrest Gump (fictional character), Forrest Whitaker (actor), Forrest Mars (businessman)
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Rising
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 1,381 peak births in 1994
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Oregon
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 3 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 194th of 7545 | 11,430 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 265th of 6773 | 8,197 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 349th of 7552 | 8,673 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 473rd of 10718 | 4,762 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 388th of 16616 | 8,730 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 914th of 24088 | 3,146 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 527th of 23106 | 6,645 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2152nd of 9107 | 287 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2897th of 9204 | 176 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 4711th of 12526 | 133 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 9044th of 19264 | 58 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 6673rd of 27321 | 183 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 28780th of 35406 | 12 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 10696th of 30306 | 106 |