Forbes

At a Glance

Meaning

Field or place of the field

Origin

Scottish Gaelic (surname from a place name)

Gender

Primarily used for boys

Pronunciation

FORBZListen

Forbes is a Scottish Gaelic surname that began as a place name, meaning "field" or "place of the field." It's pronounced FORBZ, and it's a rare, distinctive pick as a first name, one that carries a quiet, landscape-rooted feel.

Meaning & Origin of Forbes

Meaning: Field or place of the field.

Origin: Scottish Gaelic (surname from a place name).

How to Pronounce Forbes

Popularity of Forbes

Forbes has never been common as a first name in the U.S. It peaked at #2302 in 1945 with 10 babies, and by 2024 it had slipped to #12869 with just 5.

Names Like Forbes

These names have followed a similar path to Forbes in U.S. popularity over the years.

• Leslee
• Lauralie
• Marylee
• Konstance
• Hershey
• Donn

FAQ

What does the name Forbes mean?

Field or place of the field.

How do you pronounce Forbes?

Forbes is pronounced FORBZ (IPA: /fɔːrbz/).

Is Forbes a popular name right now?

Forbes peaked at #2302 in 1945 and is ranked #12869 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1913–2024.)

Make Forbes Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Forbes, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.