Forrest?

[xOlive]

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?

I may be too young to understand that reference.
I don’t know if you’re trying to be funny or rude?

Neither - apologies I should have explained.
I must be the only person on MN who associates the name Forrest with Forrest Mars 🤣
He was the son of the founder of the Mars confectionary company, and the person responsible for the Mars bar factory on the Slough trading estate.

Oh!
I did not know that but in that case, I take that as a pro, I bloody love a Mars Bar!

I have teens.
They’ve never watched Forrest Gump but know the quote “Run Forrest, run!” I imagine that the name is fine if you’re sporty and run fast.

I quite like it.

Yes, my first thought was Gump, but my daughter has a name that draws first thoughts as although not unusual it was quite rare at the time.

I also have a George but he's pushing 30 now. It was so common then that he'd come home signing everything with our surname.. Just so I knew 🤣

The kids won't have a clue and there's probably some teachers that wouldn't either.

I like it. Go for it.

I think its a nice name, I like it. It does remind me of Gump though, pretty much immediately. Also I don't think it's that uncommon. Everybody wants an uncommon name these days so they basically become less uncommon.

OK so having looked at Behind the Name, it's not very common at all, but I've heard of a few of late so I guess it's just coincidence! But I do think it's one of those that'll become popular because it's uncommon, therefore making it more popular, if you see what I mean.

I was 11 when the film Forrest Gump came out, I remember watching it and thinking this is the dullest film ever, I have no idea why people love it so much! But he was a good guy wasn't he? Tenacious, selfless, determined, kind, thoughtful, just a bit 'peculiar'. I did not think of it when I saw the title of your thread.

Forrest Gump will always be a classic and people through multi generations will have heard of it, but it will almost certainly not be his peers first thought if any thought at all, it'll be about 40 years old by the time he is 10, and still as dull! But it was not my first thought or any thought until reading the comments. My first thoughts were, he'll have earthy spiritually parents, or trendy west/north London parents (or which is the trendy and vaguely wealthy bit these days?!) and I thought of Forest Whittaker.

I also think I really like it! I know it is spelled differently but forests are wonderful, healing and sometimes seem magical places, so I think it's a great name!

My first thought was Whitaker, then Gump. My kids have all seen Forrest Gump so would almost certainly make that association but it’s not negative. One of my DCs quotes films a lot and “life is like a box of chocolates” is one of his favourites.

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.

My kids love the movie!

And Tom Hanks could feasibly die within the next two decades which means references to it will be everywhere…

If you haven’t watched it, you should. Literally everyone you meet will hear Forrest and internally think ‘gump’.

I work with a Forest. I've never once thought of Forrest Gump! It simply never occurred to me. Kids don't tend to know this film so unlikely to cause problems at school. I think it's really a non-issue.

The kid is at home so can´t be bullied...

Why, do you have children that bully people because of their name?
Thats a shame, I’ve taught mine to be kinder than that 🙂

I love the name and would have liked to use it myself but it REALLY doesn't go with our surname #notgump

Okay so the consensus seems to be the name isn’t a problem, but most adults will associate with the film Forrest Gump which in itself isn’t a bad film/bad character.
And there will lots of quotes thrown at him over the years but not necessarily negative quotes (I liked the name Alice for a girl until my DP started chanting who the fuck is Alice at me) 😂
Who knows, maybe he’ll be an Olympic sprinter 🏃🏼

Is your last name Byrnes 😂

How about Sylvan, similar meaning, but no Gump association!

I know s little Forrest, hes 6 months now but i still cant get used to it and i quite like unusual names. Its a no from me

I feel like I could vote both options, sort of ridiculous but I love it

It's a lovely name that has unfortunately been ruined by the film.

I would not take too much comfort in the idea that because kids haven't seen the film, they won't have that association. We live in an age of meme culture and it's a really memeable film. My two (teen and tween) have just assured me that when they hear Forrest, their association is Gump and they then added "run, Forrest, run!" totally unprompted.

Why not call him Gumpy?

Sorry, no, I don't like Forrest. Don't like Gump either.

Even if primary kids don't watch it, the second he goes into secondary school he will have kids shouting "run forrest run" at him or walking past saying "shrimp". It's a classic movie that most families will sit and watch with their secondary school age kids at some point.

That’s not what she said at all 🙄

I don’t like it much-but if I had to use it, I’d spell it Forest.