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Home › Baby Names Directory › Forbes

Forbes

♂ Boy

Pronounced FORBZ /ˈfɔːrbz/High

Meaning: From a Scottish place and surname, tied to Gaelic roots for 'field' or 'district' (from a place in Aberdeenshire); carried into first-name use as a heritage surname pick.Low

In 30 seconds: A crisp one-beat surname name: Forbes traces to a Scottish place meaning 'field' or 'district' (said 'FORBZ').
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Origin MediumScottish
MeaningFrom a Scottish place and surname, tied to Gaelic roots for 'field' or 'district' (from a place in Aberdeenshire); carried into first-name use as a heritage surname pick.
U.S. rank (2024)#12869 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1918
Total births (all-time)≈ 234

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 191819132024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Forbes is a Scottish surname and place name from Aberdeenshire, linked to Gaelic roots for 'field' or 'district'. It is an old clan name carried into given-name use, brisk and one-syllable (said 'FORBZ').

As a first name it is rare in the U.S., reading as a heritage surname pick. Rare, Scottish, and crisp.

Did you know? Forbes began as a Scottish place and clan surname, tied to a district in Aberdeenshire — later a sturdy first name (said 'FORBZ') with a clean, heritage ring.
Overall data confidence 55%
References — Forbes — Scottish surname/place; 'field, district'

Variations

Forbe

Nicknames

Forbie

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Forbes…

Lennox— a fellow Scottish surname name
Maxwell— a like heritage surname pick
Blair— a shared Scottish, crisp choice
Fraser— a like Scottish clan name

Explore names like Forbes

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Forbes mean?

Forbes is a Scottish place and surname tied to roots for 'field' or 'district'.

How do you pronounce Forbes?

It's said FORBZ /ˈfɔːrbz/ — one syllable.

Is Forbes a boy or girl name?

Forbes is used here as a boy's name.

How popular is Forbes?

Forbes is a rare given name in the U.S., better known as a surname.

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