Forrest
Boy name · #374 in 2025 · Distinctive
How old is the name Forrest? In official American birth records, Forrest has been tracked continuously since 1880, giving it 145 years of documented American history.
In 2025, 850 baby boys were named Forrest, placing it at #374 in the official national rankings. A decade ago it stood at #660, so the name has been rising over the past ten years. Roughly one in every 2,118 boys born in 2025 was named Forrest.
The 145-year story
Forrest first appears in the Social Security records in 1880, when 36 boys received the name. Its peak came in 1994, when 1,343 boys were named Forrest — good for #217 that year. Today's parents encounter it on its way down the popularity curve, which for many parents is exactly the appeal. Following the curve matters more than today's snapshot: a name's position on its rise-peak-decline arc is the best predictor of how common it will feel in a kindergarten class five years from now.
Babies named Forrest per year. Source: Official national birth records.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Forrest against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Forrest in class?
On our rarity read — which blends how common Forrest is today with its five-year momentum — the name reads as "distinctive". That middle band is the sweet spot many parents hunt for: recognizable without being everywhere.
Where Forrest is most common
Geography matters for names, and Forrest is no exception. Adjusted for how many boys are born in each state, Forrest is most common in ME (2.6 per 1,000), KY (1.3 per 1,000), OR (1.2 per 1,000), IA (1.2 per 1,000), AR (1.1 per 1,000) — against a national average of about 0.6 per 1,000 boys. These are per-capita rates, so they show where Forrest is a genuine regional favorite rather than just where the most babies are born.
Names like Forrest
Statistically, parents drawn to Forrest tend to be choosing among names with similar popularity arcs, era profiles, and sounds — the closest matches in our model are Malcolm, Desmond, Francisco, Ricardo, and Clayton.
MalcolmDesmondFranciscoRicardoClaytonSergioMorganSpencer
Rank history (last 25 years)
| Year | Babies named Forrest | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 850 | #374 |
| 2024 | 794 | #407 |
| 2023 | 746 | #424 |
| 2022 | 794 | #403 |
| 2021 | 745 | #414 |
| 2020 | 640 | #462 |
| 2019 | 583 | #492 |
| 2018 | 484 | #570 |
| 2017 | 460 | #593 |
| 2016 | 423 | #631 |
| 2015 | 391 | #660 |
| 2014 | 338 | #713 |
| 2013 | 257 | #833 |
| 2012 | 154 | #1180 |
| 2011 | 161 | #1126 |
| 2010 | 162 | #1143 |
| 2009 | 166 | #1112 |
| 2008 | 129 | #1334 |
| 2007 | 142 | #1237 |
| 2006 | 147 | #1149 |
| 2005 | 151 | #1093 |
| 2004 | 158 | #1034 |
| 2003 | 195 | #877 |
| 2002 | 194 | #855 |
| 2001 | 207 | #808 |
Frequently asked questions
How old is the name Forrest?
In official American birth records, the name Forrest first appeared in 1880 (over 145 years ago), when 36 newborn boys received the name. It has over a century of continuous American history.
Is Forrest a popular boy name?
Forrest ranked #374 among boys in 2025 with 850 babies given the name — inside the top 500: established but not ubiquitous. Ten years earlier it ranked #660.
When was the name Forrest most popular?
Forrest peaked in 1994, when 1,343 American boys received the name (ranked #217 that year). Since 1994 the name has declined from that high.
How rare is the name Forrest?
In 2025, roughly 1 in 2,118 newborn American boys was named Forrest. On our rarity scale (rarity blended with momentum) we classify it as "distinctive".
Data source: Official American birth records, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect registered birth records for American families.