In a heartfelt reveal that adds a whole new meaning to an already iconic name, Tina Knowles has confirmed what fans have long speculated: Beyoncé wasn’t just a name she liked—it was her maiden name, and it carries generations of family history.
During a recent sit-down with Oprah Winfrey to promote her new memoir Matriarch, Knowles responded to Oprah’s astonishment over the name’s origin with a simple, affirming “Yes.”
“The biggest surprise to me is that her name was Beyoncé. Her last name. That your last name was Beyoncé, and that’s where Beyoncé’s name came from,” Oprah remarked.
Beyoncé Is a Family Name—And a Statement
Knowles, born Celestine Beyoncé, had previously opened up about the name during a 2020 interview on the In My Head With Heather Thomson podcast, where she explained how uncommon the name felt during her youth.
“My name was Celestine Beyoncé, which at that time was not a cool thing to have that weird name,” she recalled. “I wanted my name to be Linda Smith because those were the cool names.”
As the youngest of seven children, Tina noted the family name was inconsistently spelled across siblings—some used Beyoncé, others had it written as Beyince on official documents. The inconsistency came down to a systemic failure in documentation.
“When I asked my mother why the names were different, she said that’s what was put on their birth certificate,” Knowles shared. “And when I asked her why she didn’t correct it, she said she tried once and was told, ‘Be happy that you’re getting a birth certificate.’”
“Because at one time, Black people didn’t get birth certificates,” she added.
Legacy, Identity, and Pride
By naming her first daughter Beyoncé, Tina reclaimed a name that once felt like an outlier. Now, it’s one of the most recognized names on the planet—a symbol of Black excellence, generational pride, and cultural influence.
In Matriarch, Knowles reflects not only on her family’s legacy but also on raising daughters who give back without seeking credit.
“[Beyoncé and Solange] just do it because it was instilled in them at nine and four to give back, to treat people with dignity,” Tina wrote. “To appreciate and respect people that have less than you.”
From “Weird” to World-Famous
What was once seen as a “weird name” is now synonymous with greatness, and fans are loving the full-circle moment. Tina Knowles’ revelation shows that names have power, especially when they carry the stories of resilience, struggle, and pride.
Matriarch by Tina Knowles is available now.
