Forbes Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: FORBZ //fɔːrbz//
Origin: Scottish; English
Meaning: Scottish: field; English: dweller by the river
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Forbes has its roots in the Scottish Gaelic language, deriving from the term "forba," which means "field" or "prosperous land." This etymology reflects the name's connection to geographical features and agricultural prosperity. The name entered the English lexicon through the influence of Scottish history and culture, particularly during the medieval period when surnames began to solidify in Scotland.
The earliest recorded use of Forbes as a surname dates back to the 12th century, associated with the Forbes family, who were prominent landowners in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Historically, the Forbes family played a significant role in Scottish history, with members of the clan participating in various conflicts and political affairs throughout the centuries.
One notable figure is Sir William Forbes, who was a supporter of Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scottish Independence in the early 14th century. The family's prominence continued into the 15th and 16th centuries, with the Forbeses being involved in the tumultuous events of the Scottish Reformation and the Jacobite risings.
The name also appears in various historical texts and documents, further solidifying its place in Scottish heritage. Culturally, the name Forbes has been associated with themes of strength, resilience, and prosperity, reflecting the agricultural roots of its etymology.
It has also been linked to nobility and land ownership, which were significant markers of status in medieval Scotland. The name has various diminutive forms, such as "Forbie," which may have been used informally among family or close acquaintances.
Overall, the name Forbes carries a rich historical and cultural significance, rooted in the landscape and heritage of Scotland.
Famous people named Forbes
In this section, you will find notable people named Forbes. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Forbes who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Forbes who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Forbes Magazine is a publication best known for its lists of the world's billionaires, the Forbes 400, and its coverage of business and finance.
Forbes Riley is a television host and motivational speaker best known for her work on infomercials and as a fitness expert.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Forbes, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Forbes. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Forbes was first seen in the United States in 1913.
Forbes has ranked as high as #4700 nationally, which occurred in 1918, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Forbes has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Forbes is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Forbes was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Forbes.
| Year | Total Births | Boy |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 | 8 |
| 2024 | 5 | 5 |
| 2023 | 8 | 8 |
| 2022 | 5 | 5 |
| 2020 | 6 | 6 |
| 2019 | 5 | 5 |
| 2018 | 7 | 7 |
| 2015 | 5 | 5 |
| 2006 | 7 | 7 |
| 1997 | 5 | 5 |
| 1990 | 6 | 6 |
| 1972 | 5 | 5 |
| 1957 | 6 | 6 |
| 1952 | 5 | 5 |
| 1951 | 7 | 7 |
| 1950 | 5 | 5 |
| 1945 | 10 | 10 |
| 1944 | 8 | 8 |
| 1939 | 6 | 6 |
| 1936 | 7 | 7 |
| 1935 | 5 | 5 |
| 1932 | 9 | 9 |
| 1929 | 5 | 5 |
| 1928 | 6 | 6 |
| 1927 | 5 | 5 |
| 1925 | 5 | 5 |
| 1924 | 10 | 10 |
| 1923 | 7 | 7 |
| 1921 | 8 | 8 |
| 1919 | 6 | 6 |
| 1918 | 12 | 12 |
| 1917 | 6 | 6 |
| 1916 | 10 | 10 |
| 1915 | 11 | 11 |
| 1914 | 6 | 6 |
| 1913 | 5 | 5 |
Top States for Forbes
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
No state data available for this year.