Maya Angelou had a unique and inspiring life story. Her last name, “Angelou,” was adopted from her then-husband, Tosh Angelos. He was from Greece, and, during their marriage, she adopted his surname.
Tosh and Maya met in the late 1940s after she had dropped out of high school. At the time, he was an aspiring Greek musician living in San Francisco. She was performing in nightclubs, and the two found an easy commonality in their love of music.
The couple married in 1951, however, the marriage was brief and they had separated by 1954. It was during their time together that Maya adopted her then-husband’s name, Angelou, to honor their marriage.
Though the pair parted ways, Maya kept her husband’s surname over the years and continued to use it as her legal name in the years to come.
In later life, Maya Angelou continued to call herself “Angelou” as her preferred name even after her divorce. After several decades of public recognition, Angelou eventually became her legally recognized name.
Throughout her life, Maya Angelou had a total of 17 different names. Yet, hers is most well-known for being Maya Angelou. The name has become synonymous with resilience, strength, and creativity. Her name, like her legacy, will live on.
It is evident that “Angelou” is an important and meaningful part of Maya’s identity, and it’s something she chose to carry with her.
Origins Of Tosh Angelos
Tosh Angelos, the Greek musician who Maya Angelou was married to and adopted his name from, was born in the early 1930s in Greece. His parents were immigrants from Greece and he was raised in a small port town near the mountains. At the age of 18, Tosh left his family to pursue his dreams of becoming a musician in the main cities of Greece. He ultimately made his way to San Francisco around 1949.
Throughout his life, Tosh gained recognition as a talented musician, performing in a range of venues and broadcasting Greek radio shows in the United States. He was known to be quite the charmer, and caught the eye of the rising Maya Angelou at one of his shows.
The pair’s relationship was a brief one, though not without significant consequences. It was during their courtship in 1951 that Maya was encouraged to officially adopt the Angelos last name in order to honor their union.
Maya Angelou’s Other Names
Throughout her life, Maya Angelou has had an impressive 17 different names. Prior to her adoption of Angelou, some of the more notable names include Marguerite Ann Johnson and Maya Johnson.
Marguerite was the given name of her paternal grandmother, who, at the time, was the closest living ancestors of her father, Bailey Johnson. It was from the age of 3 until 7 that the world knew her as Marguerite.
Maya Johnson was assumed from the age of 8 to 10 after being adopted by her mother’s then-boyfriend. While the relationship only lasted for a few years, the name stood and was used in court and professional/public documents for many years.
The name Angelou is not only a reminder of her cool, brief relationship with husband Tosh Angelos, but also provides a subtle and personal tie to her African-American heritage. “Angelo” is an old West African name that was often adopted by those of slave descent.
Maya Angelou’s Legacy
Maya Angelou is undeniably a cultural icon, and her name is as equally beloved. Her name carries great recognition, inspiring many generations with her words, activism, and unbound spirit.
Angelou herself used her name as an empowerment tool. Before the inception of social media, she had established an online presence by using her name on her website, even dubbing her “MayaAngelou.com”. It was a powerful attempt to reclaim her self-publication and show the world that she’s an expert in her own right.
In the world of literature, poetry, speaking and blogging, many people totally refuse to adopt a pseudonym. They want to use the name they were given at birth as a form of “authenticity.” But Angelou’s story serves as an example of the beauty and power that can come from a name change.
Angelou’s legacy will continue to be pertinent and remembered for centuries, especially when it comes to her last name. Her story serves to humble and encourage us to believe in our own power and strength, regardless of the name on our birth certificate.
Maya’s Descendents Active In Media
Faune A. Chambers, Maya Angelou’s daughter, also appears to have embraced her mother’s surname as her own, at least professionally. Chambers has appeared in entertainment and media for decades, including appearances in films, stage shows, commercials and TV series.
For a time, Chambers was the Entertainment Editor for Jet Magazine, and continues to be passionately active in American culture. She regularly speaks out on her mother’s inspiring story and serves to keep the person and legacy of Maya Angelou alive and accessible to the public.
Chambers accomplished her mother’s remarkable feats by not only speaking and writing about Maya Angelou’s life, but also keeping her music alive with her performance and recordings. The stage play “The Legacy of Maya Angelou,” written by her daughter and based on her life, can be seen performing around the world.
The aim of the project, according to Chambers, is to spread awareness of her mother’s accomplishments and honour the legacy of Maya Angelou.
Maya Angelou Today
Today, Maya Angelou’s last name is affectionately spoken with the same breath and respect as her first. Her name carries a profound meaning and reflects her journey of transformation, success, and resilience.
Angelou isn’t only remembered as a powerful female voice in the literary world. Her name is a symbol of empowerment, grace, and strength. It is undeniable her last name has not only defined her throughout her life, but has also inspired countless people around the world.
Time and memory, however, have cloaked many of the details behind the inspiration of Maya Angelou’s acquirement of her name. Yet, it is in its ambiguity that her story can take the form of any narrative you wish to give it.
Regardless of its origin, Angelou will remain a part of Maya’s empowering story for perpetuity. It serves as a reminder of one’s immense potential and relentless perseverance.
