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NamyLab

Forest

male
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Woods"

Forest is derived from a word for woodland, entering English via French, and functions as both surname and given name.

Themes:naturetoponymsurname

Fact-checked by Sarah Mitchell

B.A. Journalism, Northwestern University10+ Years Parenting WritingMom of ThreeParenting Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Forest

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#724Top 1000

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#724

Forest was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
+22

better than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Forest Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Forest.

9 ideas
Forry
Nickname
fore
Nickname
fory
Nickname
rest
Nickname
esty
Nickname
resy
Nickname
fo
Nickname
fie
Nickname
fy
Nickname

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Forest mean?
Forest means "Woods". Forest is derived from a word for woodland, entering English via French, and functions as both surname and given name.
What is the origin of Forest?
Forest is of English origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Forest?
According to the latest SSA data, Forest is currently ranked #724 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Forest a boy name?
Forest is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Forest?
Popular nicknames for Forest include Forry, fore, fory, rest, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Forest?
There are many names similar to Forest in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginEnglish, French
Syllables2
Length6 letters
US Rank#724
Trend↑ Rising
Starts withF

Explore More Boy Names Like Forest

Forest has English roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our English baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Forest appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Names That Mean Nature and Earth-Inspired Nature Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing French Baby Names and Traditional English Names.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Forest pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Forest beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.