Coco Gauff, one of the leading contenders for the 2026 Australian Open, is facing unique challenges related to her name that have surprised many fans. While renowned for her accomplishments on the tennis court, including her recent victory at the 2025 French Open, few realize that she competes under a nickname rather than her legal name.
The 21-year-old American, who previously clinched the US Open title as a teenager in 2023, has gained significant momentum heading into this year’s tournament. Despite her success, Gauff has shared that her legal name, Cori, often creates complications in everyday situations, particularly during travel and hotel check-ins.
Nickname Origins and Identity Issues
She detailed how this confusion can lead to complications, stating, “In the hotel, sometimes [they’re] like, ‘Well, we don’t have your room.’ I’m like, ‘It’s probably under Coco, not Cori.’ And then they’ll do that.” These issues highlight the complexities of navigating professional and personal identities in the public eye.
When asked about the origins of her nickname, Gauff shared two contrasting stories. “My dad’s name is Corey, and so they didn’t want me to get my dad and me confused when my mum is yelling at one of us in the house,” she explained. “With Coco there are two stories. My aunt says she came up with calling me Coco. But then my dad said, when he was younger, people used to call me Co. Then he was like, ‘I’ll call my daughter Coco.’”
