<img src="https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/p?c1=2&amp;c2=36750692&amp;cv=3.6.0&amp;cj=1"> What Is Meryl Streep's Real Name?
Something went wrong. Try again, or if the problem persists.
Your details are incorrect, or aren't in our system yet. Please try again, or sign up if you're new here.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google and of Service apply.
Create a GAMURS
By g up, you agree to our and of Service.
Something went wrong. Try again, or if the problem persists.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google and of Service apply.
Choose a name
Choose a unique name using 3-30 alphanumeric characters.
Something went wrong. Try again, or if the problem persists.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google and of Service apply.
Choose your preferences
Choose how we communicate with you, opt out at anytime.
Something went wrong. Try again, or if the problem persists.
Check your email
An confirmation link was sent to your email. Don't forget to check your spam!
Enter the email address you used when you ed and we'll send you instructions to reset your .
If you used Apple or Google to create your , this process will create a for your existing .
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google and of Service apply.
Reset instructions sent. If you have an with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or if the problem persists.
Image via Universal Pictures

What is Meryl Streep’s real name?

Her industry name is a legend, but what about the one she was born with?

Entertainers have a long-running trend of using stage names instead of their given names for work. And Hollywood icon Meryl Streep is no exception!

Recommended Videos

Receiving Joanna Kramer in Kramer vs. Kramer a year later in 1979.

has a record 21 Academy Award nominations, winning three, and a record 34 Golden Globe Award nominations, winning nine. She also won two BAFTA Awards, three Primetime Emmy Awards, a Silver Bear and Honorary Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival, and Best Actress, Honorary Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

But the famous name, proudly attached to these achievements, wasn’t the one she was born with.

Meryl Streep’s real name

Dropping the bomb right away, “Meryl” is a nickname given to the iconic actress by her mother in childhood that stuck throughout her legendary career. The actress’ real name is Mary Louise Streep, which was given to her after her birth on June 22, 1949, in Summit, New Jersey to artist Mary Wilkinson Streep and pharmaceutical executive Harry William Streep Jr. She also has two younger brothers, Harry William Streep III and Dana David Streep, both actors as well.

Now you may have the question, why “Meryl”? Though the actress never really opened up about the nuances behind her nickname, “Meryl” might be a blend of her first name Mary, and the initial L of her middle name Louise. But “Maryl isn’t fancy enough, so “Meryl” it is. The actress decided on the name early in her career and has been credited as Meryl Streep in her very first feature film Julia (1977).

Streep’s mother has had a huge influence on both her name and her career

So, Meryl Streep’s mother is to be credited for giving the iconic name to the legendary actress, but she is also the one who encouraged her to pursue her dreams. In a conversation with Michelle Obama for Vanity Fair, Streep opened up about how her mother was her mentor.

“She was a mentor because she said to me, ‘Meryl, you’re capable. You’re so great.’ She was saying, ‘You can do whatever you put your mind to. If you’re lazy, you’re not going to get it done. But if you put your mind to it, you can do anything.'”

Even today, Meryl Streep channels her mother’s energy when stepping in front of the cameras or addressing the public. Despite seeing herself as more introverted than her outgoing mother, Streep its, “When I have to be in the spotlight, I think to myself, ‘Mary [Streep] could do it.'” Thus, in a sense, Mary is responsible for both Meryl’s legendary name and her subsequent rise to fame as an actor.


We Got This Covered is ed by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small commission. Learn more about our Policy
Author
Image of Kopal
Kopal
Kopal (or Koko, as she loves being called) covers celebrity, movie, TV, and anime news and features for WGTC. When she's not busy covering the latest buzz online, you'll likely find her in the mountains, lost in the pages of Dostoyevsky and Kafka.