The eight-time Olympic gold medalist, Usain Bolt, is a well-known name around the world for his incredible speed. However, many doubt if Usain Bolt is his original name after all.

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Some think it can not be a coincidence that ‘Bolt’ is the original name of the World’s fastest man. Interestingly, it is his original name; however, he might have changed it a bit. The Jamaican sprinter’s real name is Usain St. Leo Bolt. Here is the reason why legendary Bolt changed his name.

The real reason behind Usain Bolt altering his name

35-year-old, Usain, was born and brought up in Jamaica. Bolt’s parents, Wellesley and Jennifer Bolt had named him Usain St. Leo Bolt. It is indeed an interesting coincidence that the insanely fast man was born in the ‘Bolt’ family.?

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The word Usain is a variation of the popular Arabic name, Hussain, which refers to ?beautiful?, ?handsome? and ?good?. Whereas the surname Bolt is a common family name around the world. Bolt is also a nickname for a powerfully built person, but after his insane career, the word Bolt has become synonymous with the Jamaican sprinter.

Usain Bolt

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The reason why Bolt removed ”St. Leo” from his name was not to target any kind of fame but simply to shorten his lengthy name, making it easy for people to remember.

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Even after retiring from the track, Bolt is the dominator. No athlete in the world has surpassed his unbelievable world record time in 100m and 200m.

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However, he did not forget the importance of his middle name.

Usain named son after his middle name

In 2020, Bolt welcomed his twin sons to the world. Interestingly, Bolt named one of his sons, Saint Leo, after his middle name. Notably, he named the other Thunder Bolt.

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Bolt’s children’s name is a reminder of his legacy, in a way. He named his first child Olympia Lightning Bolt, remembering his Olympic journey and incredible speed. What do you think about Usain shortening his name?

Read More: ?Never Gone Past 800m?: Usain Bolt Makes a Shocking Revelation on His Career

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Shreya Verma

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Shreya Verma is a US Sports Content Strategist at EssentiallySports, with a focus on Olympic sports and athlete storytelling, covering beats like tennis, gymnastics, basketball, track and field, wrestling, and more. A qualified National Level air pistol shooter, she brings the unique perspective of both an athlete and a journalist to her work. Over the past four years at EssentiallySports, she has covered some of the biggest sporting stages, from managing the Olympic Sports desk during the Winter Olympics 2022 to spearheading the US Open 2025 coverage and content strategy. In 2024, she was on the ground in Paris for the Summer Olympics, where she interviewed legends and rising stars, including Carl Lewis, Laurie Hernandez, Fred Kerley, Noah Lyles, Quincy Hall, and Grant Holloway, who memorably offered her the chance to try on his gold medal. She also connected with icons and fan favorites such as Tom Brady, Katie Ledecky, Tara Davis & Hunter Woodhall, Andy Murray, Ilona Maher, Kevon Williams, Jonathan Owens, and Neeraj Chopra, while capturing emotional family perspectives from Nellie Biles, Jordan Chiles’ mother, Suni Lee’s mother, and Katie Ledecky’s brother, Michael. Her journalism is marked by authenticity, access, and a deep passion for highlighting perseverance and human connection in sports. Inspired by Olympic champions like Allyson Felix and Vincent Hancock, Shreya continues to carve her path as a storyteller.

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