Django’s answer to “I know this is pretty random, but is Django Wexler a pen name or your real name? I just can't get o…” > Likes and Comments

Eek! I just responded to your comment (well, thought I did) but then realised that I had submitted another question instead. All because I was too excited by the new information I had received!

And you have to admit that the new information provided was designed to short-circuit a brain already enfeabled by the fact that Django is actually your real name, so it is partially your fault.

I was curious whether Nicholas was a family name that you inherited, and then all the thought and inventiveness went into your middle name, which became such an glorious thing that your first name was just put on the backburner? Or did you pick up a guitar at two days old, strum a few chords and fate decided for you?

There really OUGHT to be a funny story, but basically I think my parents were reading about Django Reinhardt, thought the name was cool, and gave it to me. I believe they gave me a "normal" first name as a kind of backup plan, so that if I grew up not liking the unusual name I could switch to it and wouldn't hate them. But it's always been great for me, so I never did! (Though no substitute teacher or doctor ever got it right on the first try...)