Ever since he stepped onto the scene, the man has been a bit of a mystery. You see him on court-side seats at Raptors games, or maybe you've spent an entire night looped on his latest album. He’s just "Drake." It’s a brand, a vibe, and a household name. But if you were around in the mid-2000s watching Canadian teen dramas, you knew him as someone else entirely.
So, what is Drake's real name exactly?
The short answer is Aubrey Drake Graham. He didn’t pull the name "Drake" out of thin air or pick it because it sounded like a dragon (though the etymology actually points that way). It’s literally his middle name. While most of us bury our middle names on our birth certificates and only see them when we’re renewing a passport, he turned his into one of the most powerful mononyms in music history.
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The Aubrey Graham Era
Before the Grammys and the OVO empire, there was just Aubrey. Born on October 24, 1986, in Toronto, Aubrey Graham grew up in a household that was a complete melting pot of cultures. His dad, Dennis Graham, was a Black drummer from Memphis who played with Jerry Lee Lewis. His mom, Sandi Graham, was a white Jewish Canadian who worked as an English teacher.
When his parents divorced when he was five, Aubrey stayed with his mom in Toronto. This dual identity—spending summers in the "rough and tumble" streets of Memphis and the school year in the affluent Forest Hill neighborhood of Toronto—shaped a lot of the perspective he brings to his lyrics today.
He didn't start out trying to be a rapper. He was an actor. At 15, a friend’s dad helped him land the role of Jimmy Brooks on Degrassi: The Next Generation. If you look at the old credits, you won't see "Drake." You’ll see Aubrey Graham. He played the star basketball player who was tragically paralyzed after a school shooting, a role he kept for nearly 145 episodes.
Honestly, it’s wild to think that the guy who now runs the charts was once a teenage actor struggling to pay his mom's bills. He’s been very open about the fact that his Degrassi checks were the only thing keeping them afloat while his mother was sick.
Why the Switch to Drake?
Transitioning from a teen soap star to a serious rapper is a massive hurdle. Most people don't take you seriously. If he had come out as "Aubrey Graham," it might have felt a bit too "thespian" for the hip-hop world he was trying to break into.
By the time he released his first mixtape, Room for Improvement, in 2006, he started leaning into his middle name. It was shorter, punchier, and carried a bit more weight.
The Meaning Behind the Name
The name Drake isn't just a random choice; it has deep roots:
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- Old English: It comes from the word draca, which means "dragon."
- Latin: Derived from draco, also meaning dragon or serpent.
- Norse: It’s linked to the word for a fierce warrior.
Choosing "Drake" allowed him to distance himself from the "Jimmy Brooks" persona while keeping a part of his legal identity. It was a bridge between the kid from Toronto and the superstar he wanted to become.
The Nicknames: Drizzy, Champagne Papi, and Beyond
While his legal name is Aubrey Drake Graham, his "names" list has grown exponentially. You've probably heard him called Drizzy. This started as a play on Drake, popularized during his early Young Money days with Lil Wayne.
Then there’s Champagne Papi, his infamous Instagram handle. It’s a bit of a joke, a bit of a flex, and has since become a persona of its own. He’s also called himself the 6 God (a tribute to Toronto’s 416 and 647 area codes) and The Boy.
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Interestingly, he still uses "Aubrey" for more intimate or business-oriented ventures. His 2018 tour was titled Aubrey & the Three Migos, and he often refers to himself as Aubrey when he’s being reflective in his lyrics. It’s like Aubrey is the man, and Drake is the myth.
Does He Still Use His Real Name?
Legal documents, business filings, and his passport all still say Aubrey Drake Graham. He hasn't legally pulled a "Ye" and changed it to a single word. He even celebrated his high school graduation in 2012—yes, he went back to finish—under his birth name.
He's also a dual citizen of the U.S. and Canada, thanks to his father's Memphis roots. This dual identity is a huge part of why he can move so effortlessly between the Southern rap sound and his distinct "Toronto sound."
Why It Matters
In an industry where people often pick stage names that are completely fabricated (think Snoop Dogg or Travis Scott), Drake kept it relatively close to home. Using his middle name was a strategic move that helped him rebrand without completely losing his roots.
If you're looking to follow in his footsteps or just want to understand the man behind the music, the lesson is pretty simple: your identity is your strongest asset. He took a name that was already his and turned it into a global trademark.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators:
- Check the Credits: Next time you’re watching old Degrassi clips, look for the name Aubrey Graham to see how far he's come.
- Listen for the Lyrics: Pay attention to songs where he mentions "Aubrey" (like in Emotionless or Look What You've Done). Those are usually his most personal, vulnerable tracks.
- Understand the Branding: If you're building a brand, consider how a middle name or a nickname can serve as a bridge between your "real" self and your professional persona.