Denzel Washington says fans have been saying his name wrong

Denzel Washington reveals decades-long name mystery

Actor Denzel Washington has surprised fans by revealing they have been mispronouncing his famous name for decades. During a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the Academy Award winner shared the surprising truth about his iconic moniker.

The legendary performer explained that his name should actually be pronounced “Den-zil” rather than the commonly used “Den-zelle.” This revelation has shocked fans worldwide who thought they knew how to say the superstar’s name correctly.

The truth comes out during late-night television

Washington made this startling revelation during his September 2nd appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! while discussing his latest film. Host Jimmy Kimmel brought up the fact that there are currently four NFL players named Denzel, which sparked the conversation.

“This is how you know they named themselves after me, because my name is not pronounced Den-zelle,” Washington explained to the surprised audience. The actor emphasized that the correct pronunciation uses a clipped “e” vowel sound at the end.

Mother’s clever solution created confusion

The mispronunciation stems from a practical family solution implemented by Washington’s mother, Lennis Washington, when he was young. Washington explained that he is Denzel Hayes Washington Jr., sharing the exact same name as his father, Denzel Hayes Washington Sr.

When his mother would call out “Denzel” using the original pronunciation, both father and son would respond simultaneously. To solve this household confusion, she decided to give her son a different pronunciation of the same name.

“From now on, you’re Den-zelle”

“My mother would say Denzel, and we’d both show up,” Washington recalled during the interview. His mother’s solution was simple yet effective: she would pronounce her son’s name differently to distinguish between the two Denzels in the household.

“So she said, ‘From now on, you’re Den-zelle,'” Washington explained, demonstrating how his mother changed the pronunciation. This created the version of his name that the world knows today, while his father retained the original pronunciation.

Jimmy Kimmel’s smart observation

Host Jimmy Kimmel was impressed by the practical solution, exclaiming “Oh, that’s smart!” as the studio audience applauded the clever workaround. Kimmel noted how the mother’s decision solved an immediate household problem while inadvertently creating the iconic name pronunciation.

The talk show host also pointed out the timing connection between Washington’s Oscar success and NFL naming trends. He observed that there were zero players named Denzel in the NFL in 1987, before Washington’s career took off.

NFL players prove Washington’s influence

Kimmel highlighted that Washington’s success directly influenced baby naming trends, particularly among football families. “There weren’t that many before your first Oscar. There were zero in 1987,” Kimmel noted, referring to the lack of Denzel-named players before Washington’s breakthrough.

The host explained that Washington won his first Academy Award in 1990 for Best Supporting Actor in Glory, which marked the beginning of the “Denzel boom” in professional sports. This correlation demonstrates the actor’s massive cultural impact.

Arizona Cardinals have two Denzels

The current NFL features multiple players bearing Washington’s name, with the Arizona Cardinals alone employing two players named Denzel. Kimmel specifically mentioned cornerback Denzel Burke and defensive tackle Denzel Daxon, who had recently signed with the team.

This concentration of Denzel-named players in one team perfectly illustrates how Washington’s fame influenced naming choices. The actor jokingly suggested he deserved compensation for inspiring so many parents to choose his name.

Washington jokes about jersey compensation

The legendary actor playfully suggested he should receive financial recognition for inspiring numerous NFL player names. “There ought to be some kind of compensation for this, should there not?” Washington joked during the lighthearted conversation.

Kimmel enthusiastically agreed with Washington’s suggestion, responding, “You should get a small percentage of each jersey sale.” This humorous exchange highlighted the significant cultural influence Washington has had on American naming trends over the past three decades.

Not the first time Washington revealed this

This revelation was not actually Washington’s first time sharing the pronunciation story with audiences. The actor previously discussed his name’s correct pronunciation during a 2013 appearance on The Graham Norton Show, where he teased the British host about the confusion.

During that earlier appearance, Washington repeated his name using both pronunciations while Graham Norton struggled to determine which version was correct. This shows the actor has been trying to set the record straight for over a decade.

Graham Norton Show featured original revelation

The 2013 Graham Norton Show appearance marked Washington’s first public discussion of his name’s pronunciation mystery. He was promoting his film Flight at the time and took the opportunity to explain the family story behind the confusion.

Washington demonstrated both pronunciations for Norton and the audience, showing how his mother’s practical solution had stuck throughout his career. This earlier revelation received less widespread attention than the recent Jimmy Kimmel Live! discussion.

Academy Award winner with impressive career

Washington’s career achievements justify the widespread adoption of his name among young parents. He won his first Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 1989’s Glory, portraying an American Civil War soldier in the Edward Zwick film.

His second Academy Award came in 2002 for Best Actor in Training Day, where he played corrupt Los Angeles police detective Alonzo Harris. These prestigious wins, along with multiple other nominations, cemented his status as one of Hollywood’s greatest talents.

Multiple Oscar nominations showcase range

Beyond his two wins, Washington has received numerous additional Oscar nominations throughout his distinguished career. He was nominated for his powerful performances in Cry Freedom, Malcolm X, The Hurricane, Flight, Fences, Roman J. Israel, Esq., and The Tragedy of Macbeth.

These nominations span multiple decades and demonstrate Washington’s incredible versatility as an actor. His ability to excel in diverse roles has made him one of the most respected performers of his generation.

Cultural impact extends beyond entertainment

Washington’s influence extends far beyond his filmography, as evidenced by the NFL naming trend discussion. His success has inspired parents to name their children after him, creating a lasting cultural legacy in professional sports.

The actor’s name has become synonymous with excellence and achievement, making it an attractive choice for parents hoping to inspire their children. This phenomenon demonstrates how entertainment figures can influence broader societal trends.

Cornish language origins add depth

The name Denzel originates from the Cornish language, meaning “fertile ground” or “from the high stronghold.” This etymology adds interesting depth to Washington’s stage name and seems prophetic given his career achievements.

The meaning “high stronghold” particularly resonates with Washington’s position in Hollywood, where he has maintained a consistent and respected presence for over four decades. His career truly represents fertile ground for cinematic excellence.

And that’s not all, Denzel also opened up about cancel culture, making it clear he isn’t worried about being canceled.

Fan reactions show surprise and humor

Social media reactions to Washington’s pronunciation revelation have been mixed, with many fans expressing surprise and amusement. Some fans have stated they will continue using the familiar pronunciation regardless of the correction.

“His mama call him Den-zelle, I’mma call him Den-zelle,” wrote one fan, while others joked about the timing of the revelation. The lighthearted responses show how deeply embedded the “incorrect” pronunciation has become in popular culture.

A Denzel fan? Check out the best Denzel Washington movies and relive his greatest performances on screen.

Did you know the right way to say Denzel’s name? Drop a like if you did, and tell us in the comments if you’ve been saying it wrong all along!

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.