Tyra Banks name change: What She Almost Was Named

Tyra Banks name change was almost something entirely different — and we’re not talking about her short-lived “Banx” rebrand. On a recent episode of Today with Jenna & Friends, the 51-year-old fashion icon opened up about what her mother almost named her and how her professional identity evolved over time.

During the candid chat with co-host Jenna Bush Hager, 43, Tyra revealed, “My mom told me she was going to name me ‘Kelly Banks.’” That sparked an animated reaction from Jenna, who admitted she couldn’t quite picture Tyra as anyone other than the fierce persona we all know.

Tyra chimed in with a smile, saying, “If I had been Kelly Banks, who knows what I’d be doing today?” She joked that the name gave off “cheerleader” vibes and even broke into a peppy chant spelling it out. “It’s such a bright, bubbly name,” she said.

Bush Hager noted that “Kelly” was a go-to name for popular girls growing up, something Tyra agreed with instantly. They both recalled having Barbie dolls named Kelly — a real ’90s nostalgia moment.

Tyra Banks name change started early in her career

Tyra also touched on the early stages of her modeling days, when she first debuted as “Tyra Banks.” However, when her career took her overseas to Paris, she decided to drop her last name and go by just “Tyra.”

That one-name experiment didn’t last long. Once she began acting, most notably in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air as Jackie Ames — a childhood friend and love interest of Will Smith’s character — she realized the solo name didn’t look as polished in credits. So she added “Banks” back to her brand.

Tyra Banks name change almost became Banx

In a lesser-known twist, Tyra once considered a modern twist on her last name. “After I stepped away from modeling, I tried to rebrand by spelling it with an ‘X’ — Banx,” she said. The idea was to represent a bolder, edgier persona, especially when she graced Sports Illustrated again in her 40s.

However, the change didn’t catch on. “No one noticed it,” she laughed, adding that even Jenna had no idea the switch ever happened.

Tyra’s reflections on identity, legacy, and reinvention are a reminder that even the most iconic names go through phases. And in the case of the Tyra Banks name change, it’s clear that the woman behind the name shaped its power — not the other way around.

Source: www.people.com