Widely recognized for her role as Hannah Montana and her music, Miley Cyrus is a globally known figure, but her widely recognized name isn’t her birth name.
Miley, the daughter of country musician Billy Ray Cyrus and his former wife Tish Cyrus-Purcell, gained initial fame as the character Miley Stewart and her pop star alter ego Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel series.
After her time on the popular children’s show, the 33-year-old artist has received two Grammy Awards, three MTV VMAs, and several prestigious Spotify Plaques.
Despite growing up under the public’s gaze, many fans remain unaware of Miley’s history, particularly how the name they know her by isn’t the one she was born with.
Her mother, Tish, revealed that her daughter was originally named Destiny Hope but officially changed her name to Miley Cyrus in 2008.
During an appearance on the Raven and Miranda Podcast, Tish explained: “Billy Rae came up with that [the Miley nickname]. She always smiled when she was little, so we would call her smiley Miley, and it just stuck.”
The revelation stirred reactions on social media, with many expressing surprise. “Today years old when I found out Miley is her stage name,” commented one individual.
Miley discussed her name change in a 2008 interview with Entertainment Tonight when she was 16.
During a conversation backstage at one of her concerts, the outlet asked about her legal name change, to which Miley responded: “Miley. What I’ve always been called, yeah.”
She then mimed a vomiting gesture before disclosing her birth name was Destiny Hope Cyrus.
Jokingly, she added: “Never again, it doesn’t technically legally count!”
The old clip and Miley’s admission continue to surprise fans, with one X user recently remarking: “Welp. At trivia, I learned that the mustang came out before the Camaro….and Miley Cyrus’s real name is Destiny. WTF.”
Another user exclaimed: “You’re telling me Miley Cyrus real name is Destiny Hope and not Miley?!?!”
Someone else added: “Yeah Destiny Hope…Miley comes from the nickname Smiley she had as a kid. no idea why I know that,” while another user wrote: “Miley Cyrus real name being Destiny still tickles me. She looks nothing like a Destiny.”
Another comment read: “Miley Cyrus’ real name is Destiny Hope and she’s also a Sagittarius and I wanna hug her someday.”