Forbes
Boy name · 136 babies recorded · 1974–2025
Forbes: 136 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 10 births in 2016.
The Forbes name of Forbes derives from a place name in Aberdeenshire, thought to come from the Gaelic *forba*, meaning "field" or "district," and often interpreted as "prosperous land." It is best known through the Forbes family, a powerful Scottish clan whose most famous member is the 19th-century financier and statesman Sir William Forbes, a key figure in the founding of the Bank of Scotland. The name also carries modern prominence via *Forbes* magazine, founded by B.C. Forbes, though his surname was a separate adoption. A notable bearer in Scottish history is Alexander Forbes, a 17th-century bishop of Caithness. The name's enduring link to Scottish nobility and commerce gives it a solid, landowning feel.
Boy 31 of 52 years
- Peak year
- 201610 babies
- Latest (2024)
- #7273 babies
- Total births
- 136since 1974
- 5-year trend
- ▼ 15%vs prior 5y