A 1910s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Forbes since 1913
Babies named Forbes per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 56 |
| 1920s | 46 |
| 1930s | 27 |
| 1940s | 18 |
| 1950s | 23 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 11 |
| 2000s | 7 |
| 2010s | 17 |
| 2020s | 32 |
Meaning & origin
Forbes is a surname-turned-given-name with deep Scottish roots, first recorded as a given name in U.S. data in 1913. It peaked in popularity in 1915, but has remained exceedingly rare. However, since 2013, the name has been on a gentle upward trajectory, growing from near obscurity to rank 8910 in 2025. With only approximately 1 baby boy per 213,510 receiving the name each year, Forbes remains a distinctive choice without being unfamiliar. Its association with the prominent Forbes family and business magazine gives it a patina of prestige, but it has not followed other surname names into broad fashion. The name has never ranked among the top 1,000 in the United States, and its top states data is insufficient to identify regional clusters. For parents seeking a Scottish heritage name with a serious, professional aura, Forbes offers a rare option that stands apart from more common clan names.
Forbes is a Scottish surname that originated as a habitational name from the lands of Forbes in Aberdeenshire. The place name is believed to derive from the Gaelic phrase 'forba' or 'forbais', possibly meaning 'field' or 'pasture', though the exact etymology remains uncertain. It has been used as a given name since the 19th century, particularly in Scotland and among families with the surname.
Sibling names for Forbes
Names that share Forbes's style, for a brother or sister.
