Forrest? | Mumsnet

xOlive · 2026-02-12T10:31:03+00:00

Good morning all, What are your opinions on the name Forrest for a boy? Both me and DP really like it. We have two girls already with uncommon but pretty names. Now, I imagine those who prefer the traditional “George/Oliver/Thomas” names are going to think WTF are we thinking but for those of you who appreciate a more unusual/less common name, is Forrest *too* out there?

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Calliopespa · 12/02/2026 23:19

littlepartoftimes · 12/02/2026 15:38

I love it but hate it because of Forrest Gump. Im younger than you but know the “run forest run” line and not to put you off but several times when I take my children to the Forrest near us we have heard someone of all varying ages shout run forest run over the years.

We all shout it in our family if one of us is running for a train etc.

And that includes our dc, who have not seen the movie. I'm afraid the line is immortal.

Calliopespa · 12/02/2026 23:14

xOlive · 12/02/2026 10:41

I always loved the name Rupert until my military Dad said absolutely not, that’s what they call idiots in the RAF 😂

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I'd choose Rupert over Forrest for sure.

RUUUUUNN!! The association is just too strong.

BogRollBOGOF · 12/02/2026 20:31

I taught a Forrest a good while back... he was probably born around 1994. Nice kid, so I have positive associations beyond the film.

I wouldn't worry about the film references for this generation. The film is already 30+ years old and while still well known is not mass popular culture for teenagers. It's a similar age to many parents so it's older people who are more familiar with it.

It's in the league that if someone's going to give you a hard time over the name, they'll probably be looking for any excuse to be an arsehole anyway.

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xOlive · 12/02/2026 20:09

climbintheback · 12/02/2026 19:59

What about Woody

I already know a few Woodys (Woodrow is their full name).

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climbintheback · 12/02/2026 19:59

What about Woody

NewShoes · 12/02/2026 19:37

It’s a cool, slightly out there but not ridiculous name - I say go for it 😊

user1476613140 · 12/02/2026 19:25

If you both like the name Forrest, go for it. It's no different from any other name these days. It's definitely not an offensive name or complicated to spell. Easy to pronounce. Most people are open minded these days.

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xOlive · 12/02/2026 19:07

user1476613140 · 12/02/2026 19:04

I know of a woman who I was at NHS antenatal classes almost 19 years ago who named her boy Forrest. He will be an adult now! I'm no longer living in that region but I often think about her and her DS. A grown up Forrest.

Aw, I love that certain people stay with us in our thoughts from time to time.

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user1476613140 · 12/02/2026 19:04

I know of a woman who I was at NHS antenatal classes almost 19 years ago who named her boy Forrest. He will be an adult now! I'm no longer living in that region but I often think about her and her DS. A grown up Forrest.

FriendsOnline · 12/02/2026 19:03

xOlive · 12/02/2026 19:00

Who do you think would play him?

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No idea. I haven’t given it much thought but they have remade so many classic movies lately that I wouldn’t be surprised to see a remake or a sequel released. It appears that almost no classic film is untouchable.

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xOlive · 12/02/2026 19:01

TeaRoseTallulah · 12/02/2026 19:00

Ds had a friend called Forrest at play group 25 years ago,was a girl though.

I actually love it for a girl!
I’d never considered it a unisex name.

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CheddarCheeseAndCrispSandwich · 12/02/2026 19:00

No 🥴

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xOlive · 12/02/2026 19:00

FriendsOnline · 12/02/2026 18:58

I would not be surprised if there’s a remake though or a sequel. They have been remaking so many classic films lately or giving them a sequel.

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Who do you think would play him?

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TeaRoseTallulah · 12/02/2026 19:00

Ds had a friend called Forrest at play group 25 years ago,was a girl though.

FriendsOnline · 12/02/2026 18:58

NarnianQueen · 12/02/2026 18:30

Kids today will probably not think “Gump” - it’s a well-known film but its cultural impact was 20-odd years ago! It’s only those of us who remember it coming out who will think of it!

I would not be surprised if there’s a remake though or a sequel. They have been remaking so many classic films lately or giving them a sequel.

TheeNotoriousPIG · 12/02/2026 18:57

I would think of:

A "different" (sort of artistic/hippyish vibe) family in the conservative village where I grew up. There were quite a lot of children, all with "unusual" names (i.e. more along the lines of Tiger, not the standard Thomas/Daniel/Jessica).
Forrest Gump, though I've never seen the film
Forrest Landis, the actor
The Canadian singer, Forest Blakk

I like it.

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xOlive · 12/02/2026 18:52

Sofado · 12/02/2026 18:50

“Only one famous Homer”? Really?

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That young kids who watch Mary Poppins would know about? Who have I missed?

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Sofado · 12/02/2026 18:50

xOlive · 12/02/2026 11:00

Very true, can’t beat a bit of Mary Poppins.

I think the issue seems to be there’s only one famous Forrest from what I can tell.
For example, how many baby boys have been called Edward? Despite there being several serial killers called Edward/Ed.
Or if I’d have picked Thomas, nobody would say “oh like Thomas the Tank Engine” because it’s such a commonly used name.

Whereas if you called you son Homer, there’s only one famous Homer 😂
Interesting!

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“Only one famous Homer”? Really?

brillbrunette · 12/02/2026 18:33

treeowl · 12/02/2026 17:47

The Gump reference is pretty outdated, MNs baby boards are very narrow minded . There are a few Forrest’s at my dc school and no one bats an eyelid. But then we do live in London with lots of diverse, foreign names too 😱

Yeah there's associations with many names. But I think with it being an uncommon name its easier for people to associate with something that it is largely associated with. Not saying that's a bad thing, was just saying that it does remind me of Forest Gump! But like you and many others have said, the friends of childs age will not be aware of the film.

NarnianQueen · 12/02/2026 18:30

Kids today will probably not think “Gump” - it’s a well-known film but its cultural impact was 20-odd years ago! It’s only those of us who remember it coming out who will think of it!

treeowl · 12/02/2026 17:47

The Gump reference is pretty outdated, MNs baby boards are very narrow minded . There are a few Forrest’s at my dc school and no one bats an eyelid. But then we do live in London with lots of diverse, foreign names too 😱

MsWilmottsGhost · 12/02/2026 17:41

reddaisyandcake · 12/02/2026 10:39

I love it, we move a lot with the military so been in different schools etc. There's been a few Forrest's and kids that age don't know the gump film so it'd only be older parents and I doubt they'd say anything

Yeah I know of a few Forrest/Forests and no one bats an eyelid. It is only us old fogies who think Forrest Gump now, sorry.

I do have to remind myself not to ask if they're good at running 😂

ElizabethsTailor · 12/02/2026 17:34

xOlive · 12/02/2026 16:59

Is that why people are advising I watch the film to change my mind? Because he’s disabled?
He sounds like a nice character from what people are saying on here so far with some funny quotes from the film.

I love the earthy/woodland feel to the name.

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No, it’s because the character is (deliberately) an ableist portrayal of someone with a low IQ. There is no nuance. He is not a rounded character.

The character has no agency. A large part of the plot line is that while he is part of a lot of major events in history he is totally passive to them.

I would also say that some of the behaviours towards his love-interest would be labeled borderline incel by today’s standards.

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xOlive · 12/02/2026 17:05

Myswweetchild · 12/02/2026 17:03

I've never heard of Sylvan either. We have a Sylvie, meaning of the woods, etc
What about Heath ?
That's pretty cool.

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I love the name Heath but it’s the name of a friend who died in school so I don’t think I could use that.

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Myswweetchild · 12/02/2026 17:03

xOlive · 12/02/2026 16:55

I’ve never heard of that name, I love the meaning!

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I've never heard of Sylvan either. We have a Sylvie, meaning of the woods, etc
What about Heath ?
That's pretty cool.