Quick answer
Forrest is a boy name meaning "forest".
Pronunciation: American English /ˈfɔɹ.ɪst/; British English /ˈfɒɹ.ɪst/.
Meaning and history
From an English surname meaning "forest", originally belonging to a person who lived near a forest. In America it has sometimes been used in honour of the Confederate Civil War general Nathan Bedford Forrest (1821-1877). This name was borne by the title character in the movie Forrest Gump (1994) about a loveable simpleton. Use of the name increased when the movie was released, then faded away, then recovered somewhat.
Notes and context
Usage: english