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NamyLab

Forbes

male
Updated 6 months ago

Meaning

"Field; Prosperity"

Originally a Scottish surname associated with place-names and clan history, later adopted as a given name in anglophone settings.

Themes:scottishsurnametoponymicclan

Fact-checked by Sarah Mitchell

B.A. Journalism, Northwestern University10+ Years Parenting WritingMom of ThreeParenting Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Forbes

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#12869Ranked nationally
SSA did not record this spelling in the national rankings for the available chart years. Names used fewer than 5 times in a year are omitted from the dataset.

Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
Unranked

Forbes did not appear in the national SSA rankings for 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
--

no national rank in 2024

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Forbes mean?
Forbes means "Field; Prosperity". Originally a Scottish surname associated with place-names and clan history, later adopted as a given name in anglophone
What is the origin of Forbes?
Forbes is of Scottish origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Forbes?
According to the latest SSA data, Forbes is currently ranked #12869 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Forbes a boy name?
Forbes is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Forbes?
Common nicknames can be formed by shortening or modifying the name. Check the Nicknames section above for specific suggestions.
What names are similar to Forbes?
There are many names similar to Forbes in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginScottish
Syllables2
Length6 letters
US Rank#12869
Trend→ Stable
Starts withF

Explore More Boy Names Like Forbes

Forbes has Scottish roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Scottish baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

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Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Forbes pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Forbes beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.