Raven-Symoné recently opened up about the complex feelings she has regarding her name during an episode of her podcast, “Tea Time w/ Raven & Miranda.” The 39-year-old actor, who is known for her roles on the Disney Channel, shared that the shortened version of her name triggers discomfort for her.
During a discussion with her wife, Miranda Maday, and guest Tish Cyrus, Raven-Symoné was asked about her full name: Raven-Symoné Christina Pearman-Maday. With a laugh, she responded, “Yes and no,” before becoming more serious. “I’m going to be honest. Sometimes I have a problem when people call me Raven. (That) tends to, like, trigger me a little bit from my time being called Raven.”
Reflections on Identity and Nicknames
The former Disney star portrayed the beloved character Raven Baxter on the popular sitcom “That’s So Raven” from 2003 to 2007 and later reprised her role in the spinoff “Raven’s Home,” which aired from 2017 to 2023. She explained that her friends often use an alternative nickname, calling her Chris instead. “If we’re in a big, open area and there’s a lot of people, I’ll be like, ‘Do not call me Raven in public. Call me Chris,’” she stated, revealing the significance of her name choices in different contexts.
Beyond Chris, Raven-Symoné mentioned that her family has its own nicknames for her. “My name has been so used that I just kind of disassociate from my name,” she added. She reminisced about how her family members used different variations, with her parents calling her Ray and her brother referring to her as Reva.
In a previous TikTok post from 2023, Raven-Symoné clarified the correct pronunciation of her name, which many fans have mispronounced over the years. The video featured text that emphasized the pronunciation as “See-mon-ye,” highlighting the accent on the ‘e.’ She captioned the post, “Those who know…KNOW…”
Understanding Name Pronunciation
In another TikTok video, Raven-Symoné explained why she did not correct the pronunciation of her name during her early years on the Disney Channel. “I didn’t do that because at a very young age I was told to tell everyone that my name was Raven-Symoné and it just never left my body,” she shared. She added that she only insists on the correct pronunciation in French-speaking countries.
Despite the ongoing mispronunciation, Raven-Symoné expressed that she does not feel bothered by how the public refers to her. “Coming here to where I’m living, Raven-Symoné is just fine,” she reassured her fans. “I don’t trip over it. I don’t correct people. But the correct spelling of my name is pronounced ‘Raven-Symoné,’ but you can call me Raven-Symoné.”
This candid discussion sheds light on the personal significance of names and the identities that come with them, showcasing Raven-Symoné’s journey of self-acceptance in a public life.
