Find out how popular the first name Forest has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Forest by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Forest is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 96% of people named Forest being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 348 male babies and 23 female babies born with the name Forest.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 23 baby girls were named Forest in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Forest

The name Forest is an English word name derived from the Old French word "forest," which means "woods" or "wooded area." The name's origins can be traced back to ancient Roman times, when the Latin word "forestis" referred to an area of land kept for hunting and other outdoor activities.

During the Middle Ages, the name Forest became associated with the concept of the wilderness, untamed nature, and the great outdoors. It was often used to describe areas of land that were densely forested and relatively untouched by human civilization. As such, the name Forest carried connotations of ruggedness, freedom, and a connection to the natural world.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Forest can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landowners and property holdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. In this historic document, several places and estates were listed under the name "Forest" or variations thereof, indicating the prevalence of the name in the region.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Forest. One of the earliest was Forest of Evesham (c. 1150 - c. 1215), an English monk and chronicler who wrote extensively about the life of St. Thomas Becket. Another was Forest Hay (c. 1585 - 1662), an English poet and playwright who was a contemporary of William Shakespeare.

In more recent times, Forest Whitaker (born 1961) is an American actor and director who has won numerous accolades, including an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Idi Amin in the 2006 film "The Last King of Scotland." Forest Evashevski (1918 - 2009) was an American football player and coach who led the University of Iowa's football team to two Rose Bowl victories.

Other notable individuals with the first name Forest include Forest Halvorsen (1924 - 2022), an American aviator known as the "Candy Bomber" for dropping candy to children during the Berlin Airlift, and Forest Tendrich (1918 - 1995), an American artist and illustrator renowned for his work in the Golden Age of comic books.

While the name Forest has its roots in ancient languages and traditions, it has endured through the centuries as a name that evokes a sense of connection to nature, wilderness, and the great outdoors. Its historical associations with untamed landscapes and ruggedness have made it a popular choice for parents seeking a unique and meaningful name for their children.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Forest was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Forest, please contact us.

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