Real meaning behind Beyoncé's name as recent 'name change' leaves fans shocked
Rhianna Benson
Featured Image Credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images/Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Following fans surprise that Beyoncé dropped an aspect of her name in a recent award nomination, many have been wondering what the singer's the most appropriate moniker, as well as what her usual first name actually means.
The mother-of-three hit headlines earlier this week after she received a mention on the 2024 rundown of the 'World’s Most Powerful Women', with fans having spotted a change in the way her name was listed.
Beyoncé joined the likes of Rihanna, Taylor Swift and Oprah Winfrey in the prestigious catalogue, which chooses its listings based on a person's money, media, impact and spheres of influence they boast.
Out of the 100 women that received a shout-out, the 'Crazy Right Now' hit-maker placed 35th, being commemorated for her contributions to the 'Media & Entertainment' industry.
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Alongside a rather glam-looking snap, the Texas-born artist was referred to as 'Beyoncé Knowles'.
And whilst you may be amongst the many that have known Beyoncé by this particular title since she first entered the public eye in the 1990s as a member of Destiny's Child, she hasn't referred to herself by it for over a decade.
Instead, Grammy Award-winner goes by 'Mrs Carter' - a nod to her husband Jay-Z, whom she married in 2008.
Or alternatively, by 'Beyoncé Knowles-Carter', with the latter part of the moniker
Beyoncé also shares her three children - 12-year-old daughter Blue Ivy and twins Rumi and Sir, seven - with the 'Empire State of Mind' rapper.
As we say, however, following the latest change to her name, some eagle-eyed fans were left somewhat baffled, with one asking on X: "My good sis where’s your hyphen?"
"When did Beyoncé change her last name?" asked a second, with others wondering what we should actually be calling the star today.
Someone we can refer to for knowledge is her mother Tina Knowles-Lawson, who recently shared the story behind her daughter's first name.
"It's interesting, because a lot of people don’t know that Beyoncé is my last name," the mother-of-two - who is also mum to fellow musician Solange - explained. "It’s my maiden name.
"My name was Celestine Beyoncé, which at that time was not a cool thing, to have that weird name. I wanted my name to be 'Linda Smith,' because those were the cool names."
Neither Tina nor her 'Irreplaceable' singer daughter spell their shared name in the same way that the rest of their family do, with everyone else writing 'Biyoncé'.
The more you know, eh?