Angelou, Maya: 1928 - 2014
How Maya Angelou Got Her Name
- First Name
- 'They also told me how I got the name "My." After Bailey (brother) learned definitely that I was his sister, he refused to call me Marguerite, but rather addressed me each time as "Mya Sister," and in later more articulate years, after the need for brevity had shortened the appellation to "My," it was elaborated into "Maya."'
From Maya Angelou: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, chapt. 10, p 68 (Bantam Books)
- 'They also told me how I got the name "My." After Bailey (brother) learned definitely that I was his sister, he refused to call me Marguerite, but rather addressed me each time as "Mya Sister," and in later more articulate years, after the need for brevity had shortened the appellation to "My," it was elaborated into "Maya."'
- Last Name
- When Marguerite Johnson got a new engagement as a singer at the Purple Onion, a night club in North Beach, San Francisco, she tried together with her friends to find a "more glamorous" name.
She writes:...
"A really good name," Don said, "is half the act."
I thought about the popular entertainers who were mentioned in the newspapers weekly. I didn't know if their names were created for show business or if the entertainers had simply been lucky. I said nothing.
"Let's think. Think up some names."
Don went over to the bar and brought over a bottle of wine and some glasses.
Thaïs, Sappho, Nana, Lana, Bette, names of heroines from Greek history, world literature and Hollywood were bandied together, but none seemed to please my inventors.
I said, "My brother has always called me Maya. For 'Marguerite.' He used to call me 'My sister,' then he called me 'My,' and finally, 'Maya.' Is that all right?"
Jorie said, "Di-vine. Di-vine, darling."
Don was ecstatic. "It suits you, my dear, oh God, it suits you."
Marguerite (Lloyd's girl friend) waited for Lloyd. He thought, looking at me pointedly, trying to find the name in my face. After a minute, he said, "Yes, you're Maya," as if he was christening me.
Marguerite said, "Lloyd, you're right, darling. She is Maya."
Don passed the wine around.
"Maya what?" Jorie looked at Lloyd. "Do deliver us from performers with one name. Hildegarde, Liberace. No, she must have a least two names."
I said, "My married name is Angelos."
Don chewed the words around, tasting them.
"Maya Angelos." Jorie took the name over, weighing it on her tongue. "That's not bad."
Lloyd said, "It sounds too Spanish. Or Italian. No, it won't do." An idea broke his face wide open. "I've got it. Drop the s and add a u. Maya Angelou." He pronounced it Angeloo. "Of course! Of course! That's it!"
Jorie said it was too divine. Don said it was perfection. Marguerite beamed her approval of Lloyd and then of the name.
We all drank wine to toast our success.
...From Maya Angelou: Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like Christmas, chapt. 10, p 84 (Bantam Books)
- When Marguerite Johnson got a new engagement as a singer at the Purple Onion, a night club in North Beach, San Francisco, she tried together with her friends to find a "more glamorous" name.