Whoopi Goldberg shares real name and gross reason she changed it to become a star

Whoopi Goldberg is known across the world, but many people still don't know how she came to be known by her famous stage name

People are only just realising what Whoopi Goldberg's real name is – and the gross reason she chose her moniker,

The acclaimed actor, comedian, author, and television personality shared the story of her name in her memoir, 'Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me. With more than 200 credits to her name, including iconic roles in 'Ghost', 'Sister Act', 'Star Trek: The Next Generation', and 'The Color Purple', Goldberg, born Caryn Elaine Johnson, said she wanted a name that stood out from the crowd when she started acting. "Once I started getting parts in plays, I wanted a name that sounded more interesting," she explained. "Caryn Johnson wasn't it.

She went on to describe why she settled on her first name, Whoopi. "Some people at the Rep called me Whoopi because I would sometimes let loose with a fart," she confessed. "I added 'Cush-ione' to it, with a French pronunciation."

When she received a positive review for her work, she shared it with her mother, who advised her to change her adopted surname from 'Cushione'.

"She said, 'Well, you should take one of the names from the family tree. How about Goldberg? That has a nice ring to it.' That became my name. Only my family and a few people who knew me early in my life still called me Caryn," Goldberg added.

In a candid interview, Whoopi Goldberg opened up about the significance of her surname, saying: "My mother did not name me Whoopi, but Goldberg is my name – it's part of my family, part of my heritage, just like being Black," She further shared insights into her personal beliefs: "I just know I am Jewish. I practice nothing. I don't go to temple, but I do remember the holidays."

Social media users have been expressing their astonishment and amusement at these revelations. One Reddit user remarked, "Her name is the perfect mix of whimsy and strategy."

Another confessed, "Today I learned Whoopi Goldberg isn't her real name. I'm totally being serious. I genuinely thought that was her real name."

A third chimed in with a humorous take on what might have been, saying, "It's sad that [British actor] Peter Cushing is dead. I always thought Whoopi Goldberg ought to have married him," alluding to the playful possibility of her becoming Whoopi Cushing.

Goldberg has also addressed the skepticism she faces regarding her Jewish heritage, despite having previously stated that her family encompasses diverse religious backgrounds including "Jewish, Buddhist, Baptist, and Catholic."