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 too though Gump but there is also the lovely and fine actor Forest Whitaker.

No Gumpy!

I think it’s a nice name, I knew one forty years ago (so long before the film) who was very cool. In those days the name stood out as being very unusual in a sea of Andrews, Stevens and Marks.

Even though I have seen the film three times it didn’t come to my mind until pps mentioned it, I just pictured … trees?

FWIW, yes, OP, Forrest Gump has a learning disability; but he is also kind, gentle, generous, empathetic and brave.

Tbh I used to watch this film endlessly when I was younger and strangely enough I met my first Forest yesterday and I didn’t even make the connection between the name and film. I just thought what a cool unusual name

This. I like it, but immediately think of Forrest Gump.

Roll your eyes all you like, only an absolute dick would imply a parent would call their child whatever they like because they’re going to homeschool them so they don’t need to worry about being bullied.
The internet makes people way too brave to be their true ugly selves.

We’re talking about the name Forrest. I’m not calling the baby Snot or Herpes ffs.

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

As in Gump? Just no.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 😂

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 😱

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!

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.

“Only one famous Homer”? Really?

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

I would think of:

1. 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).
2. Forrest Gump, though I've never seen the film
3. Forrest Landis, the actor
4. The Canadian singer, Forest Blakk

I like 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.

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

Who do you think would play him?

No 🥴

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

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.