Michael B. Jordan shared that as a kid, he almost changed his name after getting teased for having the same name as basketball legend Michael Jordan.
What does a name mean? Ask Michael B. Jordan. After all, the actor from Sinners, who is named after Michael Jordan, acknowledged that leaving the NBA legend's shadow wasn't exactly easy because, as a child, the bullying that resulted from being likened to a world-class athlete became a "big time" issue.
“I got teased so much,” in an interview with CBS Sunday Morning that aired on January 4, he said, “to the point where I almost changed my name.”
The 38-year-old, who was named after his father, Michael A. Jordan, actually thought about using his middle name, Bakari, which translates to "noble promise" in Swahili. But instead, he chose to accept his nickname, saying that being likened to the basketball player "was a part of the alchemy that made me who I am today."
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“It definitely made me want to be competitive,” he clarified. “I wanted to be great at something, if not for nothing else at that time, just to feel like I had my own identity.”
Michael has undoubtedly fulfilled the promise for which he was named, as evidenced by the many honors he has received for his performance over the years, including a 2026 Golden Globe nomination for his multiple parts as identical siblings in the horror hit.
“I feel like I'm walking in that and will continue to do so, big time,” he discussed the meaning of his middle name. “We got a lot more things to do. We're just getting started.”
For the time being, though, Michael is applauding Sinners' continued box office and critics success.
“It came out so early in the year, and people are still excited about it,” in December, he informed news outlets, “still going back to the theaters and seeing it and acting as if it's the first time that they're seeing it.”
“It feels great,” Michael continued. “It feels good.” Not everyone in Hollywood has chosen to use their given name, even though Michael ultimately chose to do so.
