For many chocolate lovers, the taste of M&M’s is what initially grabs their attention. However, a recent viral revelation on social media has people talking about something even more surprising—the true meaning behind the name “M&M’s.” Thanks to TikToker Claire Dinhut, an American living in London, chocolate enthusiasts are now discovering the family drama behind the iconic candy. In her viral TikTok video, Claire explained that M&M’s stands for Mars and Murrie, after business partners Forrest Mars Sr. and Bruce Murrie. Bruce was the son of Hershey executive William Murrie, while Forrest was the son of Frank C. Mars, the founder of Mars, Inc.
The TikTok video, which quickly gained 9,000 likes, sheds light on an interesting chapter of candy history. Claire revealed that Forrest E. Mars had a major falling out with his father, who had started the Mars company. “My favorite candy history fact is why M&M is called M&M,” Claire shared. “There is so much family drama behind it, and it’s incredibly juicy.” According to her, Forrest Mars traveled across Europe, where he noticed chocolate-covered candies that were popular in the region. But because of his strained relationship with his father, he didn’t share his idea with him. Instead, he turned to Mars’ biggest competitor—Hershey’s.
The Fascinating Story Behind the M&M Name
Claire continued her story by explaining how the collaboration between Forrest Mars and Hershey’s came about. “Forrest went to Hershey’s and said, ‘I’m the son of Mars, but I don’t want to work with my dad. Let’s partner up,’” she recounted. At the time, Hershey’s was run by William Murrie, who agreed to collaborate on the condition that Forrest work with his own son, Bruce Murrie. Together, the two sons created the candy we now know as M&M’s, naming the brand after their last names—Mars and Murrie.
What really catapulted M&M’s to success, according to Claire, was their timing. The candy was created just before World War II, and Mars and Murrie struck a deal with the U.S. military. “During World War II, they made an agreement that M&M’s would be included in soldiers’ rations. That’s how it took off,” she said. The candies were sold exclusively to the military because their hard candy shell made them resistant to heat, allowing them to be easily transported. History TV’s website adds that once the war ended, soldiers returned home hooked on M&M’s, which helped the candy become a nationwide hit.
The Meaning Behind the Colors of M&M’s
In addition to their iconic name, M&M’s are also known for their variety of vibrant colors, each of which carries its own meaning. The Red M&M, for example, represents intelligence and physical strength, and comes in flavors like milk chocolate and dark chocolate peanut butter. Yellow M&M’s, one of the original colors, has a peanut and dark chocolate flavor. Blue, which was introduced in 1995, features flavors such as raspberry and almond, and was chosen as a new branding color through a fan vote.
Green M&M’s are unique, often portrayed as the beautiful and confident member of the M&M family. Meanwhile, Orange represents the Crispy and Pretzel varieties and is characterized as paranoid—always worried about being eaten first due to its deliciousness. The most recent addition, Brown, is embodied by Ms. Brown, the spokesperson for the brand’s classic milk chocolate flavor, though some rumors suggest it also has a fudge brownie flavor.
A Historical Touch: The M Stamp
Another fun fact about M&M’s is that they didn’t always feature their signature “M” stamp. The stamp was introduced in 1950 as a way to assure customers of the candy’s authenticity. The company encouraged consumers to check each piece for the “M” logo to ensure they were getting the real deal. This historical tidbit recently fascinated social media users, many of whom expressed their newfound interest in the story behind their favorite candy.
One user commented, “Oh boy, was I invested!” Another chimed in with, “Love food history,” while a third added, “Now this is the kind of history I’m interested in.”
From its intriguing family drama to its clever military deal, M&M’s has a rich history that goes far beyond its delicious taste. The viral TikTok video has definitely sparked curiosity and appreciation for this iconic candy, leaving chocolate lovers everywhere eager to learn more.
