Miley Cyrus fans have been left stunned after discovering that the singer was not born with the name she is known by today. The 33-year-old star legally changed her name to Miley Cyrus in 2008 when she was just 15, but her birth name was Destiny Hope Cyrus.
The revelation came to light after fans took to social media to express their shock. One wrote on X: 'Screaming, who was gonna tell me Miley Cyrus' real name is DESTINY HOPE?' Another said: 'Miley Cyrus real name is Destiny Hope Cyrus? Wtf lol.' A third added: 'MILEY CYRUS REAL NAME IS DESTINY HOPE?!? Since when?!?'
Miley's mother, Tish Cyrus, previously explained on the Tea Time with Raven & Miranda podcast that the nickname 'Miley' came from her father, Billy Ray Cyrus. 'Billy Ray came up with that. She always smiled when she was little, so we would call her smiley Miley, and it just stuck,' she said.
Billy Ray also shared the meaning behind her birth name in a 2020 interview with Us Weekly. 'She's a giver. She believes that we're all put here for a reason, and that's to give back to our fellow man. That's why we named her Destiny Hope,' he said. He added: 'Even before she was born, I just felt like it was her destiny to bring hope to the world.'
Miley and Billy Ray reconciled in 2025 after a period of estrangement following his 2022 divorce from Tish. Miley told The New York Times that she had 'taken on some of my mom's hurt' during the divorce, but last year she wrote her father a peace offering called 'Secrets', which featured Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac, his favourite band.
Discussing their rift on Instagram in May 2025, Miley said: 'My dad and I have had our challenges over the years. Now, in my thirties, family is my priority above all else. I'm at peace knowing bridges have been built and time has done a lot of healing.'
