Elton John, the iconic singer and songwriter, recently shared his candid thoughts on his birth name, revealing why he’s never been a fan of “Reginald Kenneth Dwight.” During a recent appearance on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” the 77-year-old musician discussed his name change and the surprising origins of both his given and chosen names.
Host Stephen Colbert gently broached the subject, stating, “You weren’t always Elton John. You were born Reginald Kenneth Dwight, which is also a lovely name.” However, Elton John quickly retorted with a blunt, “It’s a s—t name,” sparking laughter from the audience and a playful “Agree to disagree” from Colbert.
Elton John on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, expressing his dislike for his birth name.
Elton John elaborated on his strong feelings, questioning his parents’ choice. “Who the hell calls their — a little baby; a little baby? ‘Reginald, oh Reginald?'” he exclaimed, emphasizing his bewilderment with the formality of the name for a child. This sentiment underscores a lifelong discomfort with a name he felt never quite fit his personality or aspirations.
The Unveiling of Reginald’s Origins
The Grammy-winning artist then delved into the backstory of his birth name, revealing it was a compromise between his parents, Stanley and Sheila Eileen Dwight. His mother had initially favored “Raymond,” but his father objected, leading to an argument and the eventual selection of “Reginald.” Elton John admitted, “I was named after my mum’s brother because she wanted to call me Raymond, but my father disagreed so they had a huge argument — which wasn’t unusual — and I became Reginald and I hated it.”
Even the shorter, more casual nickname “Reggie” didn’t appeal to him. While acknowledging the popularity of “Reggies” in the United States, he pointed out its lack of resonance in the UK. More importantly, “Reggie” still wasn’t the authentic name he desired. “It wasn’t ‘Reggie,’ it was Reginald,” he emphasized, highlighting the formality he wished to escape.
A young Elton John, born Reginald Kenneth Dwight, pictured early in his career.
The Transformation to Elton Hercules John
In 1972, Elton John took decisive action and legally changed his name, shedding “Reginald Kenneth Dwight” for the more flamboyant “Elton Hercules John.” This transformation marked not just a change of name but a pivotal moment in crafting his public persona.
Colbert playfully attempted to find a positive spin on “Reginald,” suggesting it’s the male version of “Regina,” meaning “queen.” Elton John, with his characteristic wit, deadpanned, “Thank you… They got it spot on. In 1947, they knew what they were doing,” drawing more laughter from the audience.
Elton John and Brandi Carlile on The Late Show, where he discussed his name change.
The singer then explained the inspiration behind his chosen name. “Elton” was derived from Elton Dean, the saxophone player in Bluesology, a band Elton John was part of in the 1960s. He recalled thinking, “‘Elton! There’s not many Eltons in the world, that’s pretty unusual.'” The surname “John” came from Bluesology’s vocalist, Long John Baldry. For his middle name, “Hercules,” he drew inspiration from a less conventional source: a horse named Hercules from the popular British sitcom “Steptoe and Son.”
The Paradox of Fame and Identity
However, the name change, while liberating, brought unexpected emotional complexities. Elton John confessed, “The sad thing about it was, by 1975, when I was ‘Elton Hercules John,’ ‘Reg’ had been lost, and I craved to find that little boy that I used to be.” Becoming “Elton John: Superstar” came at a personal cost. “I had become ‘Elton John: Superstar’ and I paid the price for being so famous and not having that foundation.”
He reflected on the isolating nature of fame, admitting, “Fame is a very weird thing. I enjoyed every single minute of it until I realized that the only thing in my life was fame.” This realization led to a period of unhappiness and struggles with substance abuse. Ultimately, sobriety in 1990 marked a turning point, allowing him to reconnect with his past self. “And all that changed in 1990 when I did get sober, when I re-found my old self, and it was lovely to find that little boy again.”
Elton John with his mother, Sheila Eileen Dwight, highlighting his family connection to his birth name.
Elton John’s journey with his name is a fascinating glimpse into the creation of a superstar persona and the underlying human desire for authenticity and connection to one’s roots. While “Reginald Kenneth Dwight” may be a name he dislikes, understanding its origins and his journey to “Elton Hercules John” provides a richer appreciation for the man behind the music.
