Millie Bobby Brown has built a successful Hollywood career with her distinctive name—but it turns out, it wasn’t always Bobby.
In a new interview with BuzzFeed UK on Thursday, the Stranger Things star revealed that her real middle name is Bonnie, not Bobby.
“I’ve never told anyone that,” Brown, 21, admitted, explaining that she changed it just “for s–ts and giggles” when she started acting.
The confession left her Electric State co-star Chris Pratt stunned, prompting him to respond with an equally shocked, “Oh, s–t!”
The Real Reason Behind ‘Bobby’
Brown’s decision to swap Bonnie for Bobby may have been a nod to her father, Robert “Bobby” Brown.
However, this isn’t the only time the actress has modified her name.
In August 2024, Brown revealed that she officially took her husband Jake Bongiovi’s last name after their wedding earlier that year.
She subtly confirmed the change by posting behind-the-scenes photos from the set of Stranger Things Season 5, where a blackboard displayed her new full name: Millie Bobby Brown Bongiovi.
Millie’s Bold New Look and Clapback at Critics
Along with her name changes, Brown has recently debuted a major physical transformation.
Ahead of her 21st birthday in February, she surprised fans by trading her signature brunette locks for a platinum blonde hairstyle.
While some speculated the makeover was inspired by Britney Spears amid rumors of a potential biopic, others were quick to criticize the look, saying it made her appear “old.”
Brown swiftly addressed the backlash by sharing a Vogue article titled “No One Cares How Old You Think Millie Bobby Brown Looks.”
Millie Claps Back: ‘I Refuse to Apologize for Growing Up’
The Enola Holmes actress later spoke out about the scrutiny she’s faced while growing up in the public eye.
“I started in this industry when I was 10 years old. I grew up in front of the world, and for some reason, people can’t seem to grow with me,” she stated.
Brown added that critics expect her to look the same as she did in Season 1 of Stranger Things, which premiered in 2016, and that she refuses to conform to unrealistic expectations.
“Disillusioned people can’t handle seeing a girl become a woman on her terms, not theirs,” she said.
“I refuse to apologize for growing up. I refuse to make myself smaller to fit the unrealistic expectations of people who can’t handle seeing a girl become a woman.”
With her new name, new look, and unshakable confidence, Millie Bobby Brown is proving she’s embracing this next chapter of her life on her own terms.
