Boy Name · Surname Origin
Forrest
Forrest means “Forest”. It is a boy's name of Surname origin, and in 2026 it sits in the Top 1000 of US baby names.
Origin and meaning: English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0). Popularity: US Social Security Administration.
Among 2026's most-considered baby names, Forrest keeps surfacing for the same reason: it travels well. Etymologically, Forrest traces back to a root meaning "Forest", giving it a quiet narrative spine that meaningful names always carry. With French provenance, Forrest reads as a name with a passport — at home in multiple cultures and centuries. Editors who reviewed this entry note that Forrest crosses generational lines without feeling dated — a tougher balance than it sounds.
In the US Social Security Administration data, Forrest currently sits in the top 1,000, which makes it distinctive but not obscure. Compared with names of similar style, Forrest has held its rank more consistently — a quiet sign of long-term durability. Stylistically it reads clean and unfussy, equally workable in a board meeting or a kindergarten roll call. If Forest is already on your list, Forrest belongs in the same conversation; the sections below dig into pronunciation, nicknames, and sibling fits.
Forrest meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Forest
Origin: Surname naming roots help connect Forrest to related Surname baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Forrest as F·O·R·R·E·S·T, with 7 letters and a boy usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Forrest is distinctive but not obscure in the Top 1000 tier.
Forrest variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Forresta, Forreste, Forresty, Forres.
- Nicknames: Forr and F.
- Middle names: Pair Forrest with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Forrest middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Forest, Frazier, Farris, Ferris, Fortino — full picks on the sibling names for Forrest guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Forrest? Browse our names like Forrest guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Compare Forrest side by side
Head-to-head breakdowns of meaning, popularity, pronunciation, and sibling fit.
Frequently asked about Forrest
What does the name Forrest mean?
Forrest means "Forest" and is of Surname origin. The meaning is recorded in English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0), and in US records Forrest is used as a boy name.
What is the origin of Forrest?
Forrest originates in Surname naming tradition.
How do you pronounce Forrest?
Forrest has 7 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Forrest a boy's or girl's name?
Forrest is primarily used as a boy's name in US records.
How popular is Forrest in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Forrest sits in the Top 1000 tier — distinctive but not obscure.
What names are similar to Forrest?
Names that share Forrest's sound and style include Forest, Frazier, Farris, Ferris, Fortino.
What middle names pair well with Forrest?
Good middle-name fits for Forrest pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Forrest is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Forrest is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Forrest?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Forrest share its rhythm without rhyming — Forest, Frazier, Farris all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.