Let’s talk about one of the most iconic families in music history. John Lennon, the legendary Beatles hitmaker, became a father to two sons before his tragic passing in 1980: Julian Lennon and Sean Lennon. Now, while Julian, the older of the two, has carved out an impressive music career of his own, he made a surprising move during the chaotic times of the COVID-19 pandemic—he legally changed his name. But why? Let’s dive into the story.
“It was in 2020, just before the world went into lockdown, that I finally decided to take the plunge and legally change my name,” Julian revealed during a candid episode of the “Word in Your Ear” podcast in July 2022. “You see, my original name was John Charles Julian Lennon, and let me tell you, the challenges I faced with that name were no joke. From traveling to dealing with security checks, it was a constant headache. I wanted to reclaim my identity and make life a little easier for myself.”
Julian Lennon's Struggles with His Original Name
Julian Lennon, born in 1963 to John Lennon and his first wife, Cynthia Lennon, shared that over the years, he grew increasingly frustrated with the constant explanations required when traveling or attending public events. “I mean, think about it. Every time you have to show your ID, especially on boarding passes, it’s just your first name. So, it would always be ‘John Lennon, John Lennon,’” he explained. Being named after one of the most iconic figures in rock ‘n’ roll history wasn’t exactly easy in the public eye.
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He continued, “It made me feel so anxious and fearful. People would make wisecracks or jokes, and honestly, it was exhausting. Most of the time, they didn’t even realize I was John’s son. But still, it was a heavy burden to carry.” Julian went on to say that both he and his half-brother Sean, born to John and Yoko Ono in 1975, have worked tirelessly to establish their own identities in the music world, separate from their legendary father.
The Decision to Embrace His True Identity
“It became really uncomfortable over the years because I’ve always been known as Julian,” Julian admitted. “So, when people called me John, it just didn’t feel right. It didn’t feel like me. Finally, in 2020, I thought to myself, ‘Enough is enough. I want to be me. It’s time for a change.’”
Julian explained that while he wanted to honor the legacy and wishes of his parents, he also needed to step into his own shoes. “I simply swapped ‘John’ and ‘Julian’ in my name, so now I’m Julian Charles John Lennon. It’s such a small change, but for me, it’s life-changing. It’s not about disrespect or shame—it’s about embracing who I am. I want to be heard as Julian, not just as ‘John’s son.’ This is what Julian does, and it just felt right.”
Cynthia Lennon's Influence and Legacy
Cynthia Lennon, who passed away in 2015 at the age of 75, played a significant role in the Beatlemania movement and later wrote several memoirs about her experiences in the spotlight. Julian’s decision to change his name was not about erasing his past but rather about celebrating it in a way that felt authentic to him. “I want to respect the legacy my parents left behind, but I also need to be true to myself. This change has opened up a whole new world for me, and I couldn’t be happier.”
