Cher reflects on an intriguing chapter from her storied life in her recently released memoir, “Cher: The Memoir, Part One.” In this candid narrative, the iconic singer and actress recalls her surprise at discovering her actual first name was not what she had long believed.
In 1979, during the process of legally changing her name, Cher learned that her birth certificate listed her as Cheryl, a name she was unaware was associated with her. Cher intended to simplify her name to just “Cher,” believing until that moment that her full name was Cherilyn.
The revelation stemmed from a misunderstanding that occurred at her birth in 1946. Cher’s mother, Georgia Holt, was just 19 years old and overwhelmed after giving birth. When a nurse asked for the baby’s name, Holt, unable to recall and under pressure, combined elements from her favorite actress Lana Turner and her own mother’s name, Lynda, thus naming her daughter Cherilyn.
In her memoir, Cher confronts her mother about the realization, to which Holt retorts, “I was only a teenager, and I was in a lot of pain. Give me a break,” showcasing the humorous, yet poignant dynamic of their relationship.
After this eye-opening experience, Cher officially adopted her iconic single name in 1979 while also discarding her multiple surnames, including those from her father, stepfather, and former husbands, Sonny Bono and Gregg Allman.
“**Cher: The Memoir, Part One**” was released on November 19 and is now available for readers.
This delightful anecdote not only sheds light on Cher’s journey to her memorable moniker but also highlights the complexities of identity and family connections. Readers may find hope in Cher’s story, emphasizing that our names, much like our identities, can evolve and reflect our true selves as we navigate life’s unexpected twists.