For years, chocolate lovers have been delighted by the taste of M&M’s, but now a new revelation about the origin of the candy’s name is taking the internet by storm. Recently, TikToker Claire Dinhut, an American living in London, revealed the family drama behind the name “M&M’s,” which stands for Mars and Murrie—two business collaborators and chocolate heirs. Bruce Murrie was the son of Hershey’s executive William Murrie, and Forrest Mars Sr. was the son of Frank C. Mars, the founder of the Mars candy company. The video, which quickly gained over 9,000 likes, has sparked widespread interest in the candy’s hidden history.

In the viral video, Claire explained that the Mars company was started by Forrest’s father, Frank, but a rift formed between Forrest and his father. She described how Forrest Mars had a talent for developing chocolate bars, but after a falling out with his dad, he decided to take his ideas elsewhere. While traveling in Europe, Forrest noticed people enjoying chocolate covered in candy shells, and he wanted to bring the concept to the U.S. However, instead of sharing the idea with his father, he approached their biggest rival—Hershey’s.

The Dramatic Backstory Behind M&M’s Creation

Claire continued to explain how Forrest Mars made his move to work with Hershey’s. “He went to Hershey’s and said, ‘I’m the son of Mars, but I don’t want to give my idea to my father. Let’s work together.’” At the time, Hershey’s was run by William Murrie, who agreed to partner with Forrest on one condition—that his son, Bruce Murrie, would also be involved in the venture. The two men collaborated and came up with the now-iconic candy. As a result, the brand was named after their last names—Mars and Murrie—forming M&M’s.

What really helped M&M’s take off, according to Claire, was the timing of its release. M&M’s hit the market just before World War II, and the candy makers struck a deal with the U.S. government to include M&M’s in soldiers’ rations during the war. Claire explained, “During World War II, M&M’s were added to soldiers’ bags because they didn’t melt easily and were easy to transport. That’s why the candy became so popular.”

According to History TV’s official website, after the war ended, soldiers came home hooked on M&M’s, making it a national favorite. The candy’s durability and portability made it the perfect treat for soldiers, and its post-war success cemented its place as an American classic.

The Symbolism Behind M&M’s Colors

While M&M’s are famous for their colorful candy shells, not many people know that the colors themselves have unique meanings and flavors. The Red M&M, for instance, is made from either milk chocolate or dark chocolate peanut butter and symbolizes intelligence and physical strength. Yellow M&M’s, one of the original colors, are flavored with peanut and dark chocolate, while Blue, introduced in 1995, has flavors like raspberry, almond, or dark chocolate.

Green M&M’s are known for their anthropomorphic character, often portrayed as a beautiful and confident figure. Orange represents the Crispy and Pretzel varieties and is described as nervous and paranoid—likely because it fears being eaten first due to its tastiness. Finally, Brown M&M’s, represented by Ms. Brown, is one of the newer additions and is often associated with classic milk chocolate or fudge brownie flavors, though there are rumors about its true flavor.

The M&M Stamp: A Guarantee of Authenticity

Another fun fact about M&M’s that Claire shared in her video is the origin of the signature “M” stamp on each candy. M&M’s didn’t feature the stamp until 1950, when the company began using it as a way for customers to verify the candy’s authenticity. Consumers were encouraged to look for the “M” on each piece to ensure they were getting real M&M’s. This tidbit fascinated many social media users, with some even commenting on how much they enjoyed learning about the candy’s history.

One user wrote, “Oh boy was I invested,” while another added, “Love food history.” A third person remarked, “Now this is the kind of history I’m interested in!”

From its dramatic backstory to its fun facts, M&M’s has a rich history that goes far beyond its delicious taste. Claire’s TikTok video has not only entertained but also educated chocolate lovers worldwide, offering a deeper understanding of one of America’s most beloved candies.