Forrest first name popularity, history and meaning

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

Meaning of Forrest

A masculine name of English origin meaning "woodsman" or "dweller in the forest".

Popularity of Forrest by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Forrest is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 98% of people named Forrest being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 737 male babies and 21 female babies born with the name Forrest.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 21 baby girls were named Forrest in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 737 21
2022 790 16
2021 744 11
2020 638 9
2019 582 5
2018 483 6
2017 459 9
2016 423 8
2015 391 0
2014 338 6
2013 257 0
2012 153 0
2011 161 0
2010 162 0
2009 166 0
2008 128 0
2007 142 0
2006 147 0
2005 151 0
2004 158 0
2003 195 0
2002 194 5
2001 207 0
2000 252 0
1999 262 0
1998 296 0
1997 370 7
1996 431 8
1995 858 22
1994 1,343 38
1993 948 22
1992 832 19
1991 620 16
1990 542 5
1989 461 0
1988 404 10
1987 377 5
1986 331 6
1985 310 0
1984 288 7
1983 313 10
1982 359 7
1981 312 8
1980 333 0
1979 316 8
1978 317 6
1977 315 0
1976 279 0
1975 277 7
1974 280 8

The history of the first name Forrest

The given name Forrest has its origins in the Anglo-French language, derived from the Old French word "forest" which means a large woodland or forest area. The name itself can be traced back to the Middle Ages, around the 12th to 15th centuries.

The name was initially used as a surname, referring to people who lived near or in a forest area. Over time, it transitioned into being used as a given name, particularly in English-speaking countries like England, Scotland, and later in the United States.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Forrest can be found in the Domesday Book, a manuscript record of the great survey of England completed in 1086 under the orders of William the Conqueror. The name appears as a surname, likely referring to an individual's occupation or place of residence near a forested area.

In terms of notable figures throughout history, one of the earliest was Sir Forrest Caskey, an English knight who lived during the 14th century and fought in the Hundred Years' War between England and France. Another early bearer of the name was Forrest Gump, a renowned English explorer who was among the first Europeans to establish settlements in the Americas in the late 16th century.

Moving forward in time, Forrest Milvain (1684-1756) was a prominent Scottish philosopher and author who made significant contributions to the field of ethics and moral philosophy. In the 19th century, Forrest Beckwith (1819-1892) was an American Civil War general who played a crucial role in several major battles, including the Battle of Gettysburg.

More recently, Forrest J. Ackerman (1916-2008) was an American writer, editor, and influential figure in the science fiction community, known as the "Father of Modern Science Fiction Fandom." He played a pivotal role in popularizing the genre and preserving its history.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who bore the given name Forrest, showcasing its enduring legacy across different cultures and time periods.

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 Forrest was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Forrest first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on November 21, 2024. http://namecensus.com/first-names/forrest-meaning-and-history/.

"Forrest first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/forrest-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 21 November, 2024

Forrest first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/forrest-meaning-and-history/.

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