Leonardo DiCaprio– a name synonymous to unconventional and moving roles in movies directed by the best of directors in Hollywood. Movies like Titanic, Inception, The Revenant have left lasting remarks of excellence among the audience. We all loved and admired him in these roles. Ever wondered where the name Leonardo DiCaprio comes from? Well.. that also has an unconventional story to it.
The story behind Leonardo DiCaprio’s name
The story goes back to when DiCaprio’s parents Irmelin and George DiCaprio were in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy enjoying a portrait of the famous Leonardo da Vinci.
While they were busy appreciating the beautiful works by Leonardo da Vinci, the then-unborn DiCaprio started “kicking like crazy” from inside his mother’s belly.
DiCaprio told ABC News: “My dad, being the man that picks up on cosmic messages, said that ‘His name must be Leonardo'”. And so, he’s been Leo ever since he was born, on November 11, 1974.
Decision to change his name- “too ethnic”
DiCaprio was born Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio. During his early days in Hollywood, it was preferable to get into the mix instead of sticking out, especially in regards to cultural identity.
DiCaprio explained: “They felt my name was too ethnic and I wouldn’t get as many jobs. So that thwarted me from being an actor for a number of years. I tried again two years later when I was 13 and got an agent to accept me with my name”.With blonde hair and blue eyes, DiCaprio was told his name was “too ethnic.”
