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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Forrest

69 replies

Babyanabell · 27/12/2020 16:29

What are people’s opinions on the name Forrest?

DH and I have looked through hundreds of names lists and we just cannot find one that we love.

So we are trying to find a name that means something to us instead. Forrest is my grandma’s maiden name.

Also Forrest is a fairly uncommon name and my DD has a fairly popular name which I’m not sure if that would be strange.

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diddlediddle · 28/12/2020 14:32

I know one and I really like it

WindFlower92 · 27/12/2020 21:07

My neice is called Forest - she has dark hair and eyes and I think it suits her beautifully. Go for it! I don't like the extra 'r' though.

Terriblecreature · 27/12/2020 18:49

Absolutely love this name! I wanted to call DS2 this name but my husband didn't love it and we settled on River instead. My DS1 is called Flynn and I thought it would have went really nice with that. Love it - go for it!

lofthouse · 27/12/2020 18:47

I'm going to say that many of the Gump references will be from people of a certain age, I can't see many kids knowing about it.

I was an Uninwith a forest (so now late thirties) and it was honestly never an issue. He was extremely cool, kind and beyond bright.

SunshineCake · 27/12/2020 18:41

I didn't get Gump but still think not a great thing to do to a child. Unless he gets really tall and likes being called tree.

Changethetoner · 27/12/2020 18:40

I like it. I have distant relatives with that surname, and I think it works well as a first name for a little boy. Use it.

Nell96 · 27/12/2020 18:33

I think it's a lovely name. You are setting him up for a lifetime of 'Run Forrest!', but I'm not sure it'd be that bad, and as others say, it'll probably only happen when he's a bit older and better able to deal with it. I have a very unusual name and got teased a little at school about it - I never considered it bullying, if you don't react people soon get bored.

Rtmhwales · 27/12/2020 18:31

I always think Whittaker before Gump and most kids his age wouldn't even get the Gump reference. My colleague has a 2 year old Forrest and my best friend had one in august. Other than that I haven't heard the name in real life but it suits both boys well.

MamaLoLo1 · 27/12/2020 18:28

It's not as if Forrest Gump is the only 'famous' person with that name either!

cautiouscovidity · 27/12/2020 18:20

@BullshitVivienne

Forrest Gump came out in the early 1990s. Name one kid under 10 who has seen it.

I think it's a lovely name. Go for it.

I should imagine very few as it's a 12 so quite unsuitable for that age group. Many teens will have seen it though.
littleeggcup · 27/12/2020 18:20

I love it

SaltyTootsieToes · 27/12/2020 18:16

Loooove it!

(It’s far too many years after Forrest Gump that I don’t think that’s an issue.)

ThirdTimeLuckyIHope · 27/12/2020 18:07

I really like it my OH and I have spoken about it but not sure I'm brave enough to use it

Rainbowqueeen · 27/12/2020 17:59

Forrest in the USA was a confederate war hero so there are racist connotations.
Forrest Gump was named after him

Maybe not hugely relevant in the uk but you might want to take it into account

Shelby30 · 27/12/2020 17:46

He will get the odd older generation of ppl saying run Forrest run and he'll have no idea what they are talking about. No kids will be saying it to him. It's quite cute once u get used to it (I know a baby with the name).

I used to have a neighbour sing a line of a song with my name in it to me. I just thought he was weird 😂 had no idea it was a song.

Anyoldname12 · 27/12/2020 17:41

Don’t know Forrest Gump that is

Anyoldname12 · 27/12/2020 17:40

I would think even children/teenagers know Forrest Gump now, let alone when your baby is older. Forrest Whittaker is a real person and there is less mention of him so it goes to show how these “famous” names aren’t remembered all that easily. People should teach their children not to be bullies too and we wouldn’t have to worry about children and grown adults mocking someone’s name tbh.

FTMF30 · 27/12/2020 17:36

@BullshitVivienne

Forrest Gump came out in the early 1990s. Name one kid under 10 who has seen it.

I think it's a lovely name. Go for it.

Exactly!

It's also funny how many people are advising not to give the name because your DC will get bullied by other kids.
A)the reference will be long by then
B) how about teaching your kids not to be bullying little shits (maybe by setting an example) rather than making others bend to rules to prevent them being bullied Hmm

shamus2020 · 27/12/2020 17:32

I like it Smile

BackforGood · 27/12/2020 17:31

Will be a great name for sports day.

Grin

Good point !

@DuchenneParent - mine have all watched it, and quote from it

Ellmau · 27/12/2020 17:22

I think with the family connection it's cool.

MrsMop1964 · 27/12/2020 17:01

someone else asked this previously
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/baby_names/3922889-forrest

JorisBonson · 27/12/2020 16:57

@MawkishHawk

What if he can’t run though
😂😂 dead
Ducksurprise · 27/12/2020 16:56

I don't know any U10 but my teenagers and their friends all know and watched it.

livefornaps · 27/12/2020 16:54

Run, Forrest!!!!

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