Name changed to Ono Lennon by deed poll
| Entertainment | Cultural |
Updated By: History Editorial Network (HEN)
Published:
5 min read
John Lennon, a member of The Beatles, legally changed his name to John Ono Lennon by deed poll. This decision reflected his deepening relationship with Yoko Ono, whom he married about a month earlier. Yoko Ono, an avant-garde artist, had a profound influence on Lennon both personally and artistically.
Prior to the name change, Lennon was growing increasingly involved in peace activism and experimental art, significantly departing from his pop star image. The addition of Ono's surname can be viewed as a gesture underscoring their partnership and shared vision. Their activities during this period received both criticism and praise; many fans viewed Lennon’s choices as a betrayal of The Beatles' legacy, while others admired his commitment to his principles and new artistic direction.
Changing his name legally symbolized a new chapter – a blend of his established identity with the avant-garde and activist worlds that Ono represented. This move was part of a broader trend wherein Lennon was trying to redefine himself, moving away from The Beatles’ commercial success toward an identity formed around personal and political belief systems. This period continued Lennon’s engagement with prominent social issues, including human rights and anti-war campaigns.
Legal procedures for name changes involve an official application and subsequent documentation. In practicing this, Lennon made a public declaration of his allegiance not just to Yoko Ono as a partner but also to shared ideological pursuits.
Despite various reactions, Lennon’s decision received significant media coverage, contributing to the couple's image as a unified front in both art and activism.
Recent years continue to see fans and historians analyzing this period for its contributions to Lennon's legacy, illustrating the layered nature of his later life choices and their impacts on popular culture and activism.
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Primary Reference: 22 April 1969: John Lennon changes his middle name to Ono | The ...

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