Forrest is an English given name of Scottish origin, derived from the Scottish surname "Forest". The surname Forest is believed to have originated from a place called Forres in Scotland, which means "great wood" or "large forest" in Gaelic.
The name Forrest was first used as a given name in the United States during the 19th century. It gained popularity among parents who were looking for unique and memorable names for their sons. Today, Forrest is still considered an uncommon name but it has been used consistently throughout the years.
There is no specific meaning associated with the name Forrest beyond its literal translation as "forest". However, some people associate the name with nature, wilderness, and all things related to forests.
Historically, there have not been any famous figures or historical events that are directly linked to the name Forrest. Therefore, it does not have a significant history attached to it like some other names do.
In popular culture, the most well-known Forrest is likely Forest Gump, the protagonist of the 1994 film "Forrest Gump" and its source novel by Winston Groom. While this character has helped to popularize the name Forrest, there is no evidence to suggest that it was inspired by any historical figure or event.
In conclusion, Forrest is an English given name of Scottish origin that means "forest". It does not have a significant history attached to it beyond its literal translation and has gained popularity as a unique and memorable name for boys in the United States.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Forrest experienced a significant increase in popularity between the late 1800s and early 1900s, with a steady rise from around 60 births per year in the late 1880s to a peak of over 300 births per year by the mid-1910s. However, after reaching its peak, the popularity of the name Forrest began to decline, dropping below 100 births per year by the early 1940s.
In recent years, the popularity of the name Forrest has seen a resurgence, with over 700 births recorded in both 2020 and 2021. However, it is still far from its peak popularity in the early 1900s. Overall, the total number of births with the name Forrest from 1880 to 2023 is 51,977.