The first name Forest

In 2025, 37 boys were named Forest, making it the 856th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2023, with 69 births (#550).

Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Forest with other names.

In 2025, 344 boys born in the United States were named Forest, the 750th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2022, when 375 were.

US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

• Forest Whitaker
  American actor, born 1961
• Forest Ray Moulton
  American astronomer and mathematician of the XXth century (1872–1952)
• Forest Able
  American basketball player, 1932–2026

• Henry
• Louis
• Pierre
• Austin
• André
• Henri
• François
• Jacques
• Georges
• Marcel
• Marc
• Antoine
• Alexandre
• Eduard
• Ray
• Guillaume

All 210 names of French origin

What does the name Forest mean?

Forest means “forest” in French.

What is the origin of the name Forest?

French surname, from Old French forest (“forest”). Compare Laforest and Deforest. Also an English and Scottish surname, variant of Forrest and related to the above.

How popular is the name Forest?

In 2025, 37 boys born in England and Wales were named Forest, ranking 856th. Its peak was 2023, with 69 births.

Is Forest a boy's or a girl's name?

Mostly a boy's name: 97% of the 18,377 US babies named Forest since 1880 were boys.

When was Forest most popular?

2022 in the United States, when 375 babies were named Forest, its highest rank at 704th.

What name is Forest a form of?

Forest is a form of Forrest.

Is Forest also a surname?

Yes. Forest is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.