Why did Martin Luther King Jr change his name?

Why did Martin Luther King Jr change his name?

King’s birth name was Michael, not Martin. In 1934, however, his father, a pastor at Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church, traveled to Germany and became inspired by the Protestant Reformation leader Martin Luther. As a result, King Sr. changed his own name as well as that of his 5-year-old son (from history.com).

What was the name of Martin Luther King Jr when he was born?

Martin Luther King, Jr., (January 15, 1929-April 4, 1968) was born Michael Luther King, Jr., but later had his name changed to Martin.

Did Martin Luther King Jr have a nickname?

Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929 as Michael King Jr. after his father, a powerful preacher in his own right. King was known as “Little Mike” throughout his childhood, but the name did not last long.

Did MLK legally change his name?

In 1957, Martin Luther King officially revised his own birth certificate. It was a straightforward process: on July 23d of the same year someone simply crossed out the name Michael and replaced it with “Martin Luther, Jr.” The new name was written in black ink next to the old one.