My name is Forrest and I was born shortly before Forrest Gump was released. Also shared an apartment with another Forrest briefly. Wasn't a big deal, a few kids made comments now and then, but that's going to happen no matter what your name is. The Nathan Bedford and Gump things don't really matter - you can find funny or negative namefellows for pretty much any name, especially the common ones.
In 2018, 16 is the most common age for an American (U.S.) Forrest who is registered male with the Social Security Administration. It is the 1, 092nd most common male first name for living U.S. citizens.
― Anonymous User 10/15/2018
6
Whenever I think of the name Forrest, the movie Forrest Gump has never once come to mind. I think it sounds very strong and earthy, not to mention unique.
I'm not against this name's usage, but it seems a little silly as a name. I don't think naming your son after Nathan Bedford Forrest would be a good idea, since I Googled the guy and found out that he founded the KKK. Heck, I'd consider Forrest Gump a better namesake!
Forrest Gump was a great movie with a great main character, but it seems all anyone remembers is that he was mentally disabled, instead all of his accomplishments. Therefore, I don't think it'd be too far out there that a kid called Forrest could be teased, especially if he has a mental disability or disorder. Other than this misfortune, I think it's a fine name.
Hard for me to get past the association with Nathaniel Bedford Forrest, who was the founder of the KKK. I think a lot of Southern babies were named Forrest in his honor back in the day and even though it has been well over a hundred years since much of that happened, the association for me is still too strong to be able to choose this name.
― Anonymous User 11/21/2014
1
This was almost my daughters name if she had been born a boy. I think it's a strong and great historic name. It had meaning to my husband and I who love nature and the outdoors. Of course Forrest Gump will come to anyones mind who was an adult when the movie came out, but it's been 20 years and doubt any child in their classrooms will know what that is. Think about any movie that was made 20 years before you were born. Also if it is brought up Forrest Gump as a character, yeah he was slow but um, he was also a war hero, a champion athlete, a millionaire and owner of his own company etc. LOL There are many others with that name, forest whitaker for example and I've seen main characters in other movies with it ex. The movie Lawless (2012).
I know a young man named Forrest. He was nicknamed Forrey (FOR-ee) as a child. The Forrest Gump connection actually never happened with me. I guess I don't really think about that. It's just another name for me, not as if it were Frodo or something. Personally, I really enjoy this name. I like the 'natural' connotation and the overall look of the name.
I think it's time to bring this name back from the dead. Supposedly, the name's popularity only declined because of the Forrest Gump movie in 1994. This is a great name, and the movie came out almost 20 years ago. It's time for people to start using this again.
I personally like this name, my older sister plans on using this if she ever has a son. Don't think it's too big of a deal with the whole Forrest Gump thing.
A fictional bearer would be Forrest Gates, a recurring character on the TV show Buffy The Vampire Slayer during its fourth season. However, like most African American characters on the show, he met a cruel and ugly demise. Poor Forrest.
My brother's name is Forrest. It suits him well because he's wild and loves nature. He was named after a t-shirt with a picture of Forrest Gump on it. Anyways I've always thought it was a weird name. Nobody believes me when I tell them that my brother's name is Forrest, they all think it's strange. A nickname for my brother is "Forr".
I think it's safe to say that the movie Forrest Gump has ruined the name for good. It will always be associated with the movie and the dimwitted main character, and a boy named Forest or Forrest will get a few Gump jokes, and might even be bullied, especially if he has learning problems. It's not such a bad name otherwise.