John Lennon formally changed his middle name by deed poll from Winston to Ono, during a brief ceremony held on the roof of the Apple building at 3 Savile Row, London.
The ceremony was carried out before Bueno de Mesquita, Commissioner of Oaths. Lennon had never liked his middle name, which had been given to him during a bout of wartime patriotism.
Yoko changed her name for me. I’ve changed mine for her. One for both, both for each other. She has a ring. I have a ring. It gives us nine ‘O’s between us, which is good luck. Ten would not be good luck.
Technically, Lennon was unable to lose the Winston from his name, as UK law dictates that a person is unable to fully revoke a name given at birth. As a result, his official name became John Winston Ono Lennon, with the ten ‘O’s he wished to avoid.
Afterwards Lennon and Ono went to EMI Studios at Abbey Road where they recorded the track John And Yoko, which became side one of their Wedding Album.
Also on this day...
- 2014: Paul McCartney live: Movistar Arena, Santiago
- 2012: Paul McCartney live: Estádio do Arruda, Recife
- 2003: Paul McCartney live: Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London
- 1993: Paul McCartney live: Astrodome, Houston
- 1969: Recording, mixing: John And Yoko
- 1966: Recording: Taxman, Tomorrow Never Knows
- 1965: Filming: Help!
- 1964: Filming: A Hard Day’s Night
- 1962: The Beatles live: Star-Club, Hamburg
- 1961: The Beatles live: Top Ten Club, Hamburg
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.
In the UK you can change all or any part of your name, there is no requirement to keep any of it as suggested here
You’re right. I mean Elton successfully changed his name by deed poll from Reginald Kenneth Dwight to Elton Hercules John, so I don’t see how John would’ve been forbidden by UK law to revoke a name given to him at birth if this was the case.
I think he should’ve legally changed his middle name through the Royal Courts of Justice and go through the whole process if he wanted to fully revoke Winston from his legal name rather than doing so on a rooftop.
Correct. According to deedpoll.org.uk, aside from restrictions based on the propriety of certain names, it states:
“Other than the above restrictions, you can change your forenames, surname (or both), add names, remove names or rearrange your existing names. You can change your name at any time and for any reason provided it is not for deceptive or fraudulent purposes or for the avoidance of an obligation.”
Unless this has changed since 1969, it appears there was no reason that “Winston” had to be retained.
I didn’t know he had completely revoked the name “Winston”, now I feel bad for using it and that all the wikipedia pages and such still use it, against his wishes