As Shakespeare says, “What’s in a name?” There’s actually a lot of meaning behind what people are called. Naming traditions vary around the world, and some status-seeking individuals actually change their birth names for self-aggrandizement. Celebrities seem to be the guiltiest in the name game. They’ve been trying to give their kids bizarre names like Gravity and Apple since......well.....Frank Zappa named his kids Dweezil and Moon Unit. Here are four famous people who have names that go far beyond just quirky. Their birth names are so long that just saying them will leave you breathless.
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Salvador Dali The Spanish artist was born Salvador Felipe Jacinto Dalí y Domenech. Following the Spanish tradition, which takes surnames from both parents, he acquired Dalí from his father Salvador Dalí y Cusi and Domenech from his mother Felipa Domenech Ferres. |
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Dido Like many modern celebrities, the English singer-songwriter might be known by one name, but she actually has a much longer moniker. Born Florian Cloud de Bounevialle O'Malley Armstrong, she was nevertheless called Dido — the queen of Carthage in the Roman poet Virgil's epic, "Aeneid" — throughout her childhood. And by the way, she will be annoyed if she hears you call her “Dee-doh.” |
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Akon Another one-name singer, Akon’s birth name is Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Bongo Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1973 to Senegalese parents Mor and Kine Thiam, Akon split his childhood between Senegal and New Jersey. He says his 12 names have something to do with African traditions, but doesn’t quite understand it himself. |
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Kiefer Sutherland When Canadian actors Donald Sutherland and Shirley Douglas had twins in 1966, they named their son Kiefer William Frederick Dempsey George Rufus Sutherland, who became the beloved star of '80s flicks The Lost Boys and Young Guns, as well as the television series 24 and Designated Survivor. In case you’re wondering, their daughter was named Rachel……that’s all…..just Rachel. |
