Pamela Anderson, an internationally known star, recently shared her desire to use her original family surname, shedding light on personal reasons behind considering the Pamela Anderson name change. Anderson, who rose to fame under a different name than her family’s Finnish heritage, spoke candidly about longing to reconnect with her roots in comments published by Vogue Scandinavia.
A Childhood Shaped by Finnish Heritage and Family Bonds
Pamela Anderson’s well-known last name conceals a rich family background, deeply connected to Finnish culture and traditions. Anderson recounted her upbringing, describing how her Finnish grandfather, Herman Hyytiäinen, was a logger, a poet, and a believer in folklore and nature’s magic. Together, they created a world shaped by imagination and close bonds.
“Before the world knew Pamela Anderson, there was Pamela Hyytiäinen — a child raised on myth and magic,”
Vogue Scandinavia quoted. She described the special relationship with her grandfather:
“He was the closest person to me in my life,”
Pamela Anderson said. Herman Hyytiäinen’s surname was changed to Anderson when the family arrived in Canada, blending into a North American identity but holding onto their Nordic inspirations. Still, Anderson noted that the spirit of her roots continued to influence her.
Wishing for a Name Change Back to Her Roots
Pamela Anderson revealed that she sometimes wishes to use her original last name, Pamela Hyytiäinen, instead of the one she is known for globally. She expressed her feelings on the matter:
“Sometimes I don’t want to be Pamela Anderson. I want to be Pamela Hyytiäinen. I would like to change my name, but they won’t let me.”
Anderson’s deep connection with her grandfather extended to language as well. She learned Finnish from him, believing as a kid that it was a secret, magical language known only between them. Vogue Scandinavia described how she always carried a small Finnish dictionary, eager to impress her grandfather with new words.
“Herman taught her Finnish — or what she thought at the time to be a magical language that no one else could understand,”
the publication noted. After her grandfather’s passing when Anderson was around 11, she felt the loss deeply.
“It kind of left with him,”
Anderson explained, reflecting on the strong bond they shared.
Celebrities Who Changed Their Last Names in Hollywood
The subject of changing last names is not unique to Anderson. Many other notable Hollywood figures use names different from the ones they were born with, opting for versions that are easier to remember or better suited for the spotlight.
Kat Dennings, famous for her acting career, was originally known as Kat Litwack. Dove Cameron’s birth name is Chloe Celeste Hoffman, while Vin Diesel decided on a tougher-sounding name instead of his birth name, Mark Sinclair. Olivia Wilde started her life as Olivia Jane Cockburn. Similarly, Meg Ryan was born Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra. Nicki Minaj’s real name is Onika Tanya Maraj, and Calvin Harris’s birth name is Adam Richard Wiles. Jon Bon Jovi was originally John Francis Bongiovi Jr., and John Legend was born John Roger Stephens. Legendary actors Kirk Douglas and Audrey Hepburn were given the names Issur Danielovitch and Edda van Heemstra Hepburn-Ruston, respectively.
The Ongoing Significance of Names and Heritage
Pamela Anderson’s desire for a name change highlights the emotional ties people often feel towards their ancestry and family history. While she remains an iconic figure worldwide, her story reveals the lasting importance of personal heritage and the influence it has on identity. The practice of adopting new names for public life is shared by many stars, but for Anderson, her original surname is a powerful link to her roots and treasured memories with her grandfather, Herman Hyytiäinen.
