I’m really crushing on [name_m]Forrest[/name_m] or [name_m]Forest[/name_m] for a boy and would like to know your impressions of this name.
Middle name ideas are welcome!
Also, which spelling is best?
As someone who has seen that movie a few dozen times, it doesn’t feel too Gump to me…although I can’t shake the habit to think of it pronounced with a really thick draw, which does bother me. It makes me think of, well, a forest of trees and of animals that you would find in there (or of the Crayola ‘forest green’ crayon). I don’t find that a negative connotation though. However, a minor, negative connotation to me from the movie would be in the beginning when Gump mentions who he is named after: [name_m]Nathan[/name_m] [name_m]Bedford[/name_m] [name_m]Forrest[/name_m], a controversial man who was associated with the KKK. It isn’t a name that I would ever use myself, partially due to this reason, and since it isn’t really my style.
As far as the spelling, I actually prefer the one R spelling. The two R spelling leads me to split it into two separate words and to pronounce the name as such. [name_m]Forrest[/name_m] becomes For-Rest.
I don’t think it sounds too Gump-like 
The movie is popular, but for his generation I doubt there will be too much connection, and honestly, is it too bad of a connotation anyways? [name_m]Forest[/name_m] Gump was a spectacular movie about an incredible man who did amazing things. I think its a great name
As for spellings I’m not sure, though I think I like the regular [name_m]Forest[/name_m] spelling!
Here’s a little list of what I think sounds good with [name_m]Forest[/name_m], hope it gives some inspiration!
[name_m]Forest[/name_m] [name_m]Isaac[/name_m]
[name_m]Forest[/name_m] [name_u]Jude[/name_u]
[name_m]Forest[/name_m] [name_m]Maverick[/name_m]
[name_m]Forest[/name_m] [name_m]Matthew[/name_m]
[name_m]Forest[/name_m] [name_u]Ira[/name_u]
[name_m]Forest[/name_m] [name_m]Richard[/name_m]
Oh no! That’s an awful association I wasn’t aware of - I find the KKK appalling and horrendous, so wouldn’t want that association with my sweet child. [name_f]Do[/name_f] you think it’s the kind of name that once you hear it or read it most people instantly associate with [name_m]Nathan[/name_m] [name_m]Bedford[/name_m]?
Would the spelling of simply [name_m]Forest[/name_m] be better since really it brings to mind the wilderness?
@lovelace, I actually don’t think that it would be an association that would be noticed right off the bat. I know that name from both the movie and from history class, but I honestly am not sure too many would. I suppose someone who was familiar with that horrendous group might draw the connection. [name_m]Nathan[/name_m] [name_m]Bedford[/name_m] [name_m]Forrest[/name_m] died in 1877 so I really don’t know how relevant he would be now. All that being said, I’m sure there were some great bearers of the name [name_m]Forrest[/name_m]/[name_m]Forest[/name_m]!
As far as the spelling, I’m not sure. It’s really your preference. I think it might be better but if you like it one way or the other, it’s not a huge deal at all. I think both spellings are valid.
I love [name_m]Forrest[/name_m]! However, I can just see our family yelling “run, [name_m]Forrest[/name_m], run!”. I wouldn’t use it, personally for that reason.
Anyone else?
I feel like the movie is old enough that mot people no longer make the connection. [name_m]Forrest[/name_m] is really nice; I find it to be very charming. And, yes… I think [name_m]Forest[/name_m] is a nicer spelling. 
I agree that maybe spelling it with one “r” would help get some distance from the Gump and KKK connections?
I love this name! I’m from the South, very familiar with the movie, and familiar with the negative association to [name_m]Nathan[/name_m] [name_m]Bedford[/name_m]. None of that ruins the name for me. Like other PP have said, kids born these days more than likely won’t have those be immediate associations. You also have the actor [name_m]Forest[/name_m] Witacker as a reference. I think the one “r” spelling is best. For a very long time this was one of my top boy names. Once I got married that changed. The child’s last name would be Woods so it kind of isn’t and option anymore
As a huge fan of [name_m]Forrest[/name_m] Gump, I have thought about this name for my boys, and I had the same worry you do. I agree with the comment that I always say the name with a southern drawl and also the “Run, [name_m]Forrest[/name_m], run!” Comments would get old with my family. I would spell it [name_m]Forest[/name_m], but I do associate it strongly with the movie. Although, that is neither good nor bad.