Cher Was Stunned To Learn Her Real Name After Birth Certificate Error

In her new memoir, Cher: The Memoir Part One, Cher revealed that she spent years thinking her real name was Cherilyn but was shocked to find out otherwise while trying to change to “Cher” legally. Cher’s mom, Georgia Holt, was 19 when she was born and tried to blend monikers inspired by two important people.

Holt enjoyed watching actress Lara Turner, whose daughter’s name was Cheryl, while her mother was named Lynda. Blending both, she arrived at Cherilyn; however, Cher was registered as just Cheryl. Years later, Holt was just as shocked by the error, noting that she was young and in too much pain to notice.

When was Cher born?

So, when was Cher born? Taking it back in time, Cher was born to Holt and John Sarkisian in May 1946 but was mostly raised by her mother. It was during the process of dropping her last name, Sarkisian, that she realized her first name was Cheryl. She also wanted her official name to match her stage name, which is why she stuck with Cher.

The 78-year-old did not fancy any appellations to her moniker, such as Mrs. or Miss, nor did she want to be addressed by a surname. Both of her children, Chaz Bono and Elijah Blue Allman, bear their fathers’ surnames and have maintained them so far.

Cher’s tumultuous relationships with the men in her life

Cher did not have a good relationship with her father John, who divorced Holt when Cher was little. He struggled with gambling and addiction, while her mother married more husbands since their split. Cher once admitted to reconciling with John before he died in 1985; however, they remained distant even after.

She maintained her name while married to Sonny Bono, who was her first husband and music business partner. Their decade–long marriage ended in 1975 on allegations of abuse, exploitation, and infidelity. Next was Greg Allman, whom she married days after her split from Sonny. Theirs lasted for only four years, with Cher remaining unmarried ever since.