Fun Facts About the Name Forbes
- 242 babies named Forbes: U.S. records list 242 babies given the name Forbes from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Forbes Mean?
Forbes is a Scottish surname used as a given name. It is a habitational name from the lands of Forbes in Aberdeenshire, so its basic sense is "a person from Forbes." The place name itself is of uncertain derivation; it is often explained as containing a Gaelic element forba, glossed as "field" or "district," but the full etymology is not securely established. As a given name, Forbes has no separate root: it is a transferred use of the surname.
Forbes Name History & Origins
Forbes began as a Scottish family name taken from the estate of Forbes in Aberdeenshire. In medieval records, members of the family appear as de Forbes, the French-influenced form used to identify a landholder by his land. The place name is found in medieval spellings such as Forbais. The family became the Clan Forbes, a powerful kindred in northeast Scotland; its chief holds the title Lord Forbes, which dates from the 15th century.
The surname spread through Scotland and later to England, Ireland, and the English-speaking world. As a first name, Forbes is a transferred surname rather than a traditional given name. It has been used occasionally for boys, often to preserve a family surname, and it also appears as a middle name. Its use as a given name does not trace to a separate linguistic origin.
How Popular is the Name Forbes?
Forbes has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 1918. Its best rank was #2,302 in 1945.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #9,176 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2024 | #12,869 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2023 | #9,177 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2022 | #12,963 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2020 | #11,044 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2019 | #12,767 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2018 | #10,009 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2015 | #12,686 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2006 | #9,904 | 7 | 0.0003% |
| 1997 | #9,748 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1990 | #7,474 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1972 | #5,227 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1957 | #3,700 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1952 | #3,924 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1951 | #3,167 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1950 | #3,866 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1945 | #2,302 | 10 | 0.0007% |
| 1944 | #2,709 | 8 | 0.0006% |
| 1939 | #3,242 | 6 | 0.0005% |
| 1936 | #2,982 | 7 | 0.0007% |
| 1935 | #3,849 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1932 | #2,709 | 9 | 0.0009% |
| 1929 | #4,190 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1928 | #3,868 | 6 | 0.0005% |
| 1927 | #4,412 | 5 | 0.0004% |
| 1925 | #4,462 | 5 | 0.0004% |
| 1924 | #2,888 | 10 | 0.0009% |
| 1923 | #3,596 | 7 | 0.0006% |
| 1921 | #3,312 | 8 | 0.0007% |
| 1919 | #3,887 | 6 | 0.0006% |
| 1918 | #2,445 | 12 | 0.0012% |
| 1917 | #3,704 | 6 | 0.0006% |
| 1916 | #2,611 | 10 | 0.0011% |
| 1915 | #2,361 | 11 | 0.0013% |
| 1914 | #3,038 | 6 | 0.0009% |
| 1913 | #2,989 | 5 | 0.0010% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
Explore More Lists with Name Forbes
Most Popular Boy Names That Start with F
How the Name Forbes Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are kind, home-loving, hospitable and friendly. Since you take responsibility well, you are a good organizer of social affairs. Compassion for others is an outstanding trait. You are a great lover and a great flirt – an artist, musician, actor, teacher, nurse. Your character can be contradictory. You are practical, yet idealistic and intuitive; capable of selfless devotion to someone you love, yet look to receive payback. You are frank, methodical and believe in law, system and order.
You are always looking for an opportunity to achieve financial and emotional security. You are basically peacemaker. You understand the law of harmony and desire to balance your life with those around you. You may feel incomplete without someone to share your love, ideals, wealth or work. You can be very sensitive and could appear a bit shy and perceptive. You have developed intuition, patience and the ability to nurture others. You can achieve the state of happiness if you are willing to accept your needs in a complimentary relationship and go to create them.
✦ Forbes's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Forbes's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.