Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Forrest

Forrest

♀ Girl

Pronounced FOR-est /ˈfɔr.ɪst/High

Meaning: From the English word/surname forest — 'a wood; dweller by the forest'; much more often a boys' name; here for a girl; we note the crossoverLow

In 30 seconds: A forest; dweller by the woods: Forrest is English. Crisp, classic, and warm. More often a boys' name — here a girl.
💕 Browse more names
Origin LowEnglish
MeaningFrom the English word/surname forest — 'a wood; dweller by the forest'; much more often a boys' name; here for a girl; we note the crossover
U.S. rank (2025)#8532 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births12 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1994
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,058

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199418872025

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

Forrest comes from the English word/surname forest — 'a wood; dweller by the forest' (we note the crossover). Much more often a boys' name, it is recorded here for a girl — which we flag honestly (slug distinguished; said 'FOR-est').

In the U.S. Forrest is chiefly a boys' name; this girls' use is unusual. Rare for a girl, a-forest at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Forrest is an English nature/surname name — 'a wood; dweller by the forest' — much more often a boys' name; here for a girl, which we note (said 'FOR-est').
Overall data confidence 28%
References — Forrest — English nature-name; chiefly male

Variations

ForestForresta

Nicknames

Fern

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Forrest…

Forest— a kin spelling
Willow— a fellow nature girls' name
Juniper— a companion nature girls' name
Hazel— a sound-adjacent nature girls' name

Explore names like Forrest

By themeenglishcross-sexnature-name

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Forrest mean?

Forrest is an English nature/surname name — 'a wood; dweller by the forest'. It is more often a boys' name; here it is recorded for a girl.

How do you pronounce Forrest?

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

Is Forrest a boy or girl name?

Forrest is chiefly a boys' name; this page covers its use as a girl's name.

How popular is Forrest?

Forrest is uncommon for boys and very rare for girls.

💬 Ask Nia