Forney is an uncommon given name of English origin. It is derived from the Old French word "fourney," which means "journey." This name was historically used as a surname, often referring to someone who made journeys or had connections to foreign places. Over time, Forney has evolved into a given name, though it remains relatively rare. According to data from the United States Social Security Administration, no more than five boys have been named Forney in any given year since records began in 1879. This makes Forney an unusual and distinctive choice for a child's name.
The name Forney experienced a peak in popularity during the early 1900s, with notable spikes in births occurring between 1912 and 1914, as well as in 1917 and 1925. However, by the late 1930s, the number of annual births began to decline and remained relatively low throughout the remainder of the period listed. In total, there were 127 babies named Forney born between 1909 and 1942.