Why Latino Actors and Artists Often "Whitewash" Their Names

Striving for Universal Appeal

At its core, the decision to adopt a more anglicized name often springs from the desire to appeal to a broader, more global audience. Hollywood, as an industry, has traditionally catered to English-speaking markets, and actors with names that are easier for this demographic to pronounce and remember have often found more success.

Take, for example, Guatemalan-American actor Oscar Isaac, born Óscar Isaac Hernández Estrada, who has spoken about his decision to shorten his name. Isaac has shared that adopting a "whiter" stage name allowed him to avoid being typecast in stereotypical Latino roles, thus enabling him to compete for a wider array of characters.

Breaking Down Stereotypes

Another factor that has driven Latine actors and artists to anglicize their names is the fight against Hollywood stereotypes. Latine actors have historically been pigeonholed into specific roles, often as gangsters, maids, or exotic temptresses. By adopting a more anglicized name, many have sought to escape these narrow, limiting stereotypes.

Richard Valenzuela, better known as Ritchie Valens, the rock n' roll pioneer best known for "La Bamba," anglicized his name to broaden his appeal and navigate the music industry's racial dynamics in the 1950s. His choice was largely a survival strategy in a predominantly white industry.

Conforming to Industry Norms

Hollywood has been known for its rigid and often discriminatory norms, and these have historically extended to the domain of names as well. For many Latino artists, adopting an anglicized name has been a way to conform to these norms and enhance their chances of success.

Take the example of Lynda Carter, the actress known for her iconic role as Wonder Woman. Although she is of Mexican descent on her mother's side, her decision to use her father's anglicized last name instead of her mother's (Cordova) may have been influenced by the industry's biases.

A similar story can be found in the life of silent film actress Anita Page, born Anita Evelyn Pomares. Page, who was of Salvadoran descent, rose to stardom in the 1920s, a time when being Latino was not widely accepted in Hollywood. By adopting a more anglicized name, she navigated around the ethnic prejudices of her time.

Beyond Hollywood: Have you ever mispronounced your own name?

This phenomenon of "whitewashing" names extends beyond the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. Many of us, in our daily lives, may find ourselves altering our names, even subconsciously, to fit into a certain cultural context or to make it “easier” for others. We might shorten a long name, adopt an anglicized nickname, or even use a different pronunciation that sounds less ethnic.

These decisions often stem from a desire to assimilate, to avoid standing out, or even to avoid the discomfort of having our names mispronounced. But while these choices might seem inconsequential, they can subtly reinforce the idea that certain names, and by extension, certain cultures, are "other" or outside the norm.