The Surprising Truth Behind Ariana Grande's Real Name And Why She's Finally Using It In 'Wicked'

The question of Ariana Grande's real name is more complex and relevant than ever in late 2025, not because of a simple stage name, but due to a recent, deeply personal decision tied to her biggest career role to date. While the world knows her simply as 'Ariana Grande,' her full birth name is a double-barreled surname that she has largely kept out of the spotlight for her entire career, making its re-emergence in the credits of the highly anticipated *Wicked* film a major talking point. The pop superstar, known for her four-octave vocal range and chart-topping hits, has a name that honors both sides of her Italian-American heritage. The recent, conscious choice to use her full, legal name for her work as Glinda the Good Witch is a powerful statement about identity, family reconciliation, and a return to her roots, providing a fresh, current context to a seemingly simple biographical fact.

Ariana Grande-Butera: Full Biography, Profile, and Name History

The name on Ariana Grande’s birth certificate is a combination of her mother's and father's surnames, a common practice in many cultures to honor both parental lines. Her professional name, 'Ariana Grande,' is technically only a part of her full legal identity, which has seen a subtle evolution over her lifetime and career.

• Full Real Name: Ariana Grande-Butera
• Date of Birth: June 26, 1993
• Age (as of late 2025): 32
• Birthplace: Boca Raton, Florida, U.S.
• Parents: Joan Grande (Mother, CEO of Hose-McCann Communications) and Edward "Ed" Butera (Father, Graphic Designer/Photographer)
• Sibling: Frankie Grande (Older Half-Brother, Performer/Producer)
• Nationality: American
• Ethnicity: Italian-American (Half Sicilian and Half Abruzzese)
• Professional Debut: 2008 (Broadway musical *13*)
• Breakthrough Role: Cat Valentine on Nickelodeon's *Victorious* (2010–2013) and *Sam & Cat* (2013–2014)
• Key Albums: *Yours Truly* (2013), *My Everything* (2014), *Dangerous Woman* (2016), *Sweetener* (2018), *Thank U, Next* (2019), *Positions* (2020), *Eternal Sunshine* (2024)
• Major Film Role: Glinda the Good Witch in *Wicked* (2024/2025)
• Marital Status: Divorced from Dalton Gomez (m. 2021; div. 2024)

The name Ariana Grande-Butera is a direct reference to her parents, Joan Grande and Ed Butera. For her professional life, she chose to drop the Butera surname, opting for the more concise and memorable 'Ariana Grande.' This decision is common among celebrities seeking a punchier stage name.

The Meaning Behind the Double-Barreled Surname: Grande vs. Butera

Understanding the significance of her full name requires a look at her family background and the meaning behind the two surnames. This duality is central to the conversation about her identity and her recent professional choices.

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Grande: The Professional Identity

The surname Grande comes from her mother, Joan Grande. This is the name that has been synonymous with her global success as a pop star. Since her debut album, *Yours Truly*, and through era-defining albums like *Sweetener* and *Thank U, Next*, the name 'Ariana Grande' has become a powerful, internationally recognized brand. It represents her independence, her musical achievements, and her public persona.

Her mother, Joan Grande, is a successful businesswoman and a key figure in her life, making the choice of 'Grande' as her professional moniker a nod to her maternal influence and the strength of the women in her family. The name itself is Italian, simply meaning 'large' or 'great'—a fitting descriptor for her career trajectory.

Butera: The Return to Her Roots

The surname Butera is her father's last name. Ed Butera, a graphic designer and photographer, and Ariana had a period of estrangement, which she has spoken about publicly. The recent, highly publicized reconciliation with her father is the key to understanding the name's sudden reappearance in her professional life in 2024 and 2025.

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The Butera surname is also Italian, originating from Sicily. Its re-introduction is not just a legal formality but a symbolic act. In a 2024 interview, Grande-Butera referred to the use of her full name in the *Wicked* credits as a "homecoming" and "technically little Ari's name". It signifies a full embrace of her birth identity and a public honoring of her reconciled relationship with her father, Ed Butera, on the largest stage of her acting career.

The 'Wicked' Name Change: Why 'Ariana Grande-Butera' is Now Everywhere

The most current and compelling reason for the renewed interest in her full name is its prominent use in the credits for the two-part film adaptation of the Broadway musical *Wicked*. Part One is scheduled for release in late 2024, with Part Two following in 2025, starring Ariana Grande-Butera as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba.

The decision to use Ariana Grande-Butera for the film's credits, rather than the established 'Ariana Grande,' was a conscious and deliberate one, confirmed by the singer herself. This is not a formal legal name change, but a professional choice with deep personal significance.

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A Symbol of Reconciliation and Identity

The use of the Butera surname is a public and permanent tribute to her father. After a period of distance, their renewed closeness has clearly impacted her professional choices. By listing her full birth name, she is signaling a completeness in her personal identity, connecting the global pop star (Grande) with the girl from Boca Raton (Butera).

This move is particularly poignant given the context of the *Wicked* film. Playing Glinda is a full-circle moment for the star, who has been a fan of the musical since childhood. Using her "little-girl name" for the role that represents a childhood dream is a powerful statement about authenticity and returning to the person she was before the massive fame of Republic Records and her pop career took over.

Addressing the Marriage Name Change Rumors

Fans also often wonder about name changes related to her marriage. Ariana Grande married real estate agent Dalton Gomez in May 2021. The couple finalized their divorce in 2024. During their marriage, she continued to use 'Ariana Grande' professionally. While it is common for individuals to legally change their name upon marriage, she maintained her established professional identity throughout the relationship and its eventual dissolution. Her recent focus on re-introducing the Butera surname confirms her professional commitment to her birth name heritage, rather than a married name.

In conclusion, while the world knows her as Ariana Grande, her true, full legal name is Ariana Grande-Butera. This is not just a piece of trivia; it is a current and evolving story of personal identity, family reconciliation with her father Ed Butera, and a powerful choice to honor her roots in the biggest acting role of her life as Glinda in the highly anticipated *Wicked* film. The name change for the movie credits acts as a symbolic "homecoming" for the globally recognized singer, marking a new chapter of authenticity in her already legendary career.