Michael B. Jordan faced significant teasing as a child due to sharing a name with NBA legend Michael Jordan, which almost led him to change his name to Bakari Jordan.

He reflected on the teasing during a CBS interview, stating it contributed to his determination and competitive spirit.

Jordan described the jokes about his name as “not too creative” but acknowledged that they motivated him to seek greatness and develop his own identity.

Growing up as an athlete, he frequently faced questions about whether he believed he was the famous basketball player.

Despite the challenges associated with his name, Jordan believes they were integral to shaping who he is today, emphasizing the importance of his middle name, Bakari, which translates to “noble promise.”