Boy
Old French
2 syllables
Forrest
FOR-est
/ˈfɒr.ɪst/
"Forest dweller" — a nature-rooted Old French name with American heartland warmth and cinematic soul
Forrest derives from the Old French forest meaning woodland or forest, used as a surname for those who lived near or worked in a forest. The double-R spelling distinguishes the given name from the common noun. The name gained enormous cultural weight from the 1994 film Forrest Gump, with Tom Hanks playing the loveable, earnest protagonist. The name projects warmth, sincerity, and a connection to the natural world.
Quick Facts
Letters7
SyllablesFor · rest
GenderBoy
OriginOld French
Root Wordforest
MeaningDweller near the forest
PopularityFamiliar
Peak Year1994
Trend
→ Stable
Name DayOctober 18
Nicknames
ForryWoodyFoss
About the Name Forrest
Forrest means dweller near the forest, from Old French forest. It was originally a surname for people living near or working in woodland.
Forrest has Old French origins as an occupational surname. It became a given name in the American South and gained worldwide recognition through film.
Forrest is familiar and steady, boosted periodically by the enduring love for Forrest Gump. It is a comfortable, nature-connected choice.
Forrest James, Forrest Lee, and Forrest William are natural, grounded combinations for this warm two-syllable name.
Forrests are associated with sincerity, warmth, and quiet perseverance — qualities embodied by fiction's most famous Forrest.
The given name is typically spelled Forrest with a double R to distinguish it from the common noun forest.
Personality of Forrest
Perceived character traits commonly associated with people named Forrest
Creativity
68%
Elegance
66%
Independence
74%
Intelligence
70%
Strength
76%
Warmth
86%
Famous People Named Forrest
F
Forrest Gump
Beloved fictional film character played by Tom Hanks, embodying American goodness
N
Nathan Bedford Forrest
Confederate general after whom the fictional Forrest Gump was named
F
Forrest Tucker
American actor known for TV westerns of the 1960s
Middle Names for Forrest
Beautiful combinations that flow well with Forrest
Forrest James
Forrest Lee
Forrest William
Forrest Thomas
Forrest Blake
Forrest Dean
Forrest Ray
Forrest Cole
Forrest Grant
Forrest Wade
Names Similar to Forrest
Sibling Name Ideas
History of Forrest
1200
Forest used as an Old French occupational surname for woodland workers
1850
Forrest used as a given name in the American South
1994
Forrest Gump released; the name spikes dramatically in popularity
2010
Forrest regains steady use as nature names trend upward
Numerology & Symbolism of Forrest
2
Destiny Number
Sum of all letters
2
Soul Urge
Sum of vowels
♍
Zodiac Affinity
Taurus
6
Lucky Number
Personal power digit
🎨
Lucky Color
Forest Green
💎
Lucky Stone
Moss Agate
🌸
Lucky Flower
Fern
Forrest Around the World
How Forrest is written in different languages and scripts
فورست
Arabic
フォレスト
Japanese
Форрест
Russian
포레스트
Korean
福雷斯特
Chinese
Φόρεστ
Greek
फॉरेस्ट
Hindi
פורסט
Hebrew
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