Keanu Reeves explains what his 'unusual' name means

As well as being one of the nicest people in Hollywood, Keanu Reeves also has one of the coolest names about.

I mean, it's objectively better than being called Graham or Nigel, isn't it? No offence to anyone who has those names, obviously, but how many Keanus do you know?

The Lebanon-born actor has been one of the biggest stars on the planet for the past 30 years.

But early on in his career, the subject arose of where his name came from and what it actually means.

Well, speaking to David Letterman back in 1994, the 58-year-old explained that it goes back to his great-great uncle, who was also called Keanu.

Apologising for saying it incorrectly on an earlier show, Letterman said: "Let me begin by apologising last night for mispronouncing your name. I was saying 'Keenoo' or something but it's 'Ke-A'nu', is that correct?

CBS

"It's an unusual name, I've not heard it before, does it mean something in another language, some other part of the world?

"How did you come by the name?"

Explaining the etymology to the host, Keanu said: "Yeah, I was told it means 'cool breeze over the mountains'. It was from my great-great uncle."

When asked where it originates from, the Speed star replied: "Hawaiian."

So there you have it, mystery solved. If you can really call it a mystery, I don't know if you can.

It's a nice story nonetheless.

However, it could have been oh so very different for him, had he changed his name as he once considered.

When he was starting out in the business, Keanu thought about getting himself a stage name, as many actors do.

And he almost chose a terrible, terrible one.

Sydney Alford/Alamy

Recalling those early days, he said: "So, I’m 20 years old, I’m in my first car, I wanted to be in movies, I went to Hollywood. And I get there and they’re like, ‘We wanna change your name'.

"I was like, 'Why', and they were like, 'Keanu, maybe it's a little too exotic', we don't wanna... ya know... '."

Revealing one of the names he considered at the time, Keanu went on: "'Chuck Spadina'. Just ridiculous names. I just couldn't do it. I couldn't do it."

So yeah, it could have been very, very different. I think he made the right choice.

If you have a story you want to tell, send it to UNILAD via [email protected] 

Topics: Keanu Reeves, US News, Film and TV

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers is the News/Agenda Desk Lead, covering the latest trends and breaking stories. After graduating from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History, he went on to write for the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express. So as you can imagine, he’s spent many a night wondering just how useful that second language has been. But c'est la vie.

@SmithersDom