The Ting Tings’ ‘That’s Not My Name’: 5 Surprising Facts About The Viral Hit And Their New 2025 Album

The iconic 2008 indie-pop anthem, "That's Not My Name," has proven to be a timeless cultural phenomenon, experiencing a massive resurgence over a decade after its initial release. While many fans mistakenly refer to it as "It's Not My Name"—a testament to the song's catchy, repetitive hook—the track remains the definitive hit for the English duo, The Ting Tings. As of today, December 15, 2025, the band is back in the news with the announcement of their first new album in six years, proving the duo is ready to reclaim the spotlight and remind the world of their names.

The song's enduring popularity, from topping the UK charts to becoming a viral sensation on TikTok, is a fascinating case study in musical longevity. Its simple, driving beat and relatable lyrics about frustration and identity have resonated across generations, making it much more than a nostalgic throwback. This deep dive uncovers the true story behind the track and the latest updates on The Ting Tings' exciting new chapter.

The Ting Tings: Complete Duo Biography & Profile

The Ting Tings is an English indie pop duo formed in Salford, Greater Manchester, in 2007. The band consists of a multi-instrumentalist pair who are also a married couple. Their name is reportedly inspired by a Chinese friend whose name sounded like the Mandarin pronunciation of "Ting."

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• Member Name: Katie Rebecca White
• Role: Lead Vocals, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Bass Drums, Cowbells
• Date of Birth: 18 January 1983
• Place of Birth: Wigan, Lancashire, England, U.K.
• Previous Work: Member of the girl-group punk trio, Technical Knockout.

• Member Name: Julian "Jules" De Martino
• Role: Drums, Lead Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals, Piano
• Date of Birth: 16 July 1967
• Place of Birth: West Ham, Essex, England, U.K.
• Relationship Status: Partnered/Married with Katie White.

The True Meaning Behind ‘That’s Not My Name’

Far from being a simple, catchy pop song, "That's Not My Name" is a powerful anthem born out of genuine frustration and a struggle for recognition in the music industry. The lyrics articulate the duo's difficult transition period and the feeling of being misunderstood or dismissed by industry figures.

A Direct Response to Industry Frustration

Katie White, the lead singer and lyricist, has revealed that the song was a direct response to a moment of anger and a sense of not gaining wider, proper recognition. The repetitive chorus, "That's not my name," references the frequent misidentification and mispronunciation of their names—or even being called by the wrong names entirely—by managers, promoters, and record label executives.

The lines like "I keep standing up, but you keep on knocking me down" and "Four letter word just to get me along" perfectly capture the struggle of an emerging artist trying to maintain their identity and integrity in a demanding business. It became an accidental protest song for anyone who felt overlooked or labeled incorrectly.

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The track was a standout on their critically acclaimed debut album, We Started Nothing, which was released in 2008. The album title itself reflects the duo's DIY ethos and their desire to break away from the traditional music machine.

From UK Chart-Topper to Global TikTok Sensation

"That's Not My Name" was an immediate success upon its official re-release in 2008, quickly becoming a dance club anthem and one of the defining indie-pop tracks of the late 2000s.

• Initial Chart Success: The song reached number one on the UK Singles Chart, solidifying The Ting Tings as a major new act.
• North American Sleeper Hit: While a massive hit in the UK, the song took longer to gain traction in the US, eventually becoming a sleeper hit and peaking within the Top 40 of the US charts in August 2009.
• Sales Milestone: The single has sold over a million copies globally, demonstrating its widespread and lasting appeal.

The 2022 TikTok Meme Resurgence

The song experienced an enormous second life in 2022, nearly 14 years after its debut, due to a viral trend on the social media platform TikTok. The "That's Not My Name" TikTok meme involved users listing all the nicknames, mispronunciations, and incorrect titles they had been called over the years, often set to the song's chorus.

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This resurgence introduced the track to a whole new generation of listeners, proving its central theme of mistaken identity is universally relatable. The trend was so popular that it brought the song back into the cultural conversation, delighting the duo who expressed surprise and gratitude for its unexpected revival.

The Ting Tings’ New Era: The 'Home' Album (2025)

The most current and exciting news for fans is the announcement of The Ting Tings' upcoming studio album, Home. This release marks their first new album in six years, signaling a fresh new era for the duo.

The album Home is scheduled to be released in February/Spring 2025. After entering the music scene with the smash success of We Started Nothing, the new album represents a shift in their creative direction. The announcement has generated significant buzz, with the band embracing a new era while still maintaining the distinctive indie-pop sound that made them famous.

The anticipation for Home is high, as fans are eager to see how the duo—now a married couple balancing their personal and professional lives—will channel their experiences into new music. The new material, including singles like "Danced On The Wire," is already generating positive reception, suggesting that The Ting Tings are ready to deliver another powerful, hook-filled record that moves beyond the shadow of their biggest hit.

Topical Entities & Related Keywords

The enduring success of "That's Not My Name" is linked to its cultural footprint and the numerous entities surrounding it. These include:

• Debut Album: We Started Nothing
• Follow-up Albums: Sounds from Nowheresville, Super Critical
• Other Hit Singles: "Shut Up and Let Me Go," "Great DJ"
• Genre: Indie Pop, Dance-Punk, New Wave
• Cultural References: Jimmy Carr (walk-on music), mistaken identity, mispronunciation, celebrity nicknames, UK Singles Chart, US Billboard Hot 100.
• Key Themes: Identity crisis, industry frustration, DIY music, female empowerment.

The combination of a relatable message, a driving beat, and an unexpected viral resurgence ensures that the song "That's Not My Name" will continue to define their legacy as The Ting Tings embark on their new journey with the 2025 album, Home.