Deforest
Every Deforest since 1881 — 667 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Deforest
Deforest is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1881, 667 American babies have been named Deforest. Its peak came in 1920, when 26 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Deforest stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Deforest year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | 5 | #10,963 |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | 7 | #7,175 |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | 7 | #3,933 |
| 1965 | 9 | #2,834 |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | 5 | #3,993 |
| 1950 | 7 | #3,095 |
| 1945 | 7 | #2,807 |
| 1940 | 6 | #3,210 |
| 1935 | 16 | #1,779 |
| 1930 | 5 | #4,125 |
| 1925 | 14 | #2,216 |
| 1920 | 26 | #1,467 |
| 1915 | 18 | #1,674 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | 6 | #917 |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Deforest
- DeForest Kelley Actor · 1920–1999
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Deforest in 2025?
Deforest did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Deforest?
667 babies have been named Deforest in the United States since 1881, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Deforest most popular?
Deforest peaked in 1920, when 26 newborns received the name.
Is Deforest a boy or girl name?
Deforest is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Deforest rising or falling?
Deforest has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Deforest?
Well-known people named Deforest include DeForest Kelley (actor).