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Home › Baby Names Directory › Forest

Forest

♀ Girl

Pronounced FOR-ist /ˈfɔr.ɪst/High

Meaning: From the word forest — 'a large wood, woodland' (via Old French forest, from Latin forestis) — and the surname for one who lived by a forest; used for both sexes; here for girlsLow

In 30 seconds: A forest; woodland: Forest is a nature-name — 'a large wood'. Crisp, earthy, and warm. Used for both sexes (here for girls).
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Origin LowEnglish, French
MeaningFrom the word forest — 'a large wood, woodland' (via Old French forest, from Latin forestis) — and the surname for one who lived by a forest; used for both sexes; here for girls
U.S. rank (2025)#8531 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births12 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1994
Total births (all-time)≈ 592

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199418902025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Forest comes from the word forest — 'a large wood, woodland' (via Old French forest, from Latin forestis) — and the surname for one who lived or worked by a forest. A crisp, earthy nature-name, used for both sexes, here for girls (slug distinguished; the spelling Forrest leans more to boys; nickname Forrie).

It registers thinly for girls (Forrest leans to boys). Rare, a-forest-and-woodland at the root, and earthy.

Did you know? Forest means 'a large wood, woodland' (via Old French forest) — and was first a surname for someone who lived by one — a crisp, earthy nature-name, used for both sexes (here for girls; said 'FOR-ist').
Overall data confidence 55%
References — Forest — word/nature name

Variations

ForrestForesterForsythe

Nicknames

Forrie

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Forest…

Willow— a fellow nature girls' name
Juniper— a companion nature girls' name
Brooke— a sound-neighbor nature unisex name
Meadow— another nature girls' name

Explore names like Forest

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By meaningEarth / Nature

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Forest mean?

Forest is a nature-name — 'a large wood, woodland', and a surname for one who lived by a forest.

How do you pronounce Forest?

It's said FOR-ist /ˈfɔr.ɪst/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Forest a boy or girl name?

Forest is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a girl's name.

How popular is Forest?

Forest is a rare name for girls in the U.S.

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