M&M’s Weren’t Always Available in So Many Colors
When you picture M&M’s today, you probably imagine a handful of bright colors all mixed together.
But the candy didn’t always look exactly like it does now.
Early M&M’s were available in a much smaller range of colors. Different shades have been introduced, removed, and brought back over the decades.
The changing colors have become part of the fun of the brand.
And even though the candies generally share the same basic chocolate center, people often develop strong preferences for particular colors.
Of course, they all still have that familiar little m.
What About the Different Types of M&M’s?
The original milk chocolate variety eventually became only the beginning.
Over the years, the brand introduced numerous varieties, including:
Peanut M&M’s
Peanut Butter M&M’s
Crispy M&M’s
Almond M&M’s
Pretzel M&M’s
Caramel M&M’s
Dark Chocolate M&M’s
Seasonal and limited-edition varieties
The exact lineup has changed over time, but the basic concept has remained remarkably recognizable:
Chocolate surrounded by a colorful candy shell.
That simple combination has provided plenty of room for different flavors and fillings over the years.
Why Is the Name Written as “M&M’s”?
There’s another small detail hiding in the name: the apostrophe and the “s.”
The familiar name refers to multiple individual candies, which is why the plural form became M&M’s rather than simply “M&M.”
You may see the brand stylized in different ways in advertising and packaging, but the familiar name has remained remarkably consistent for generations.
A Small Name With a Big History
It’s easy to assume that the letters on a famous product are simply a catchy marketing invention.
In this case, the name has a much more personal origin.
M&M’s is essentially a pair of initials honoring the two men whose partnership helped create and launch the candy.
Forrest Mars brought his business ambitions and connection to the Mars company, while William Murrie brought an important connection to Hershey and the chocolate industry.
Their collaboration helped produce a candy that would go on to become one of the world's most recognizable chocolate brands.
And all of that history is packed into just two letters.
The Next Time You Eat an M&M…
Take a second to look at that tiny letter printed on the shell.
What looks like nothing more than a simple logo is actually a little piece of candy history.
The first M stands for Mars.
The second M stands for Murrie.
So the next time someone asks what M&M’s actually means, you won't have to guess.
It’s simply Mars + Murrie—two names behind one of the most famous little candies ever made.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does M&M stand for?
M&M stands for Mars and Murrie, referring to Forrest Mars Sr. and William F. R. Murrie.
Who were the two men behind the name?
The two men were Forrest Mars Sr. of the Mars candy company and William F. R. Murrie, whose father was president of Hershey at the time.
When were M&M’s first introduced?
The first M&M’s were introduced in the United States in 1941.
Why do M&M’s have a hard candy shell?
The hard sugar shell protects the chocolate center and helps prevent it from melting as easily, making the candy easier to carry and store.
Why is there an “m” printed on M&M’s?
The small lowercase “m” is a recognizable part of the candy’s branding and corresponds with the initials in the M&M name.
Were M&M’s always available in many colors?
No. The source notes that early M&M’s were available in a much smaller range of colors, with different shades being introduced, removed, and brought back over the years.
What kinds of M&M’s have been introduced?
The brand has produced varieties including Peanut, Peanut Butter, Crispy, Almond, Pretzel, Caramel, Dark Chocolate, seasonal, and limited-edition versions.
Final Takeaway
Sometimes the most ordinary things have the most interesting stories hiding in plain sight.
Those two little M’s on a colorful candy aren't random letters. They're connected to Mars and Murrie, the two surnames behind the candy's origin.
So the next time you reach for a handful of M&M’s, take a look at that tiny lowercase m.
You’re not just looking at a logo.
You’re looking at a little reminder of the two names that helped give one of the world's best-known candies its identity.
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