Everyone has been mispronouncing Denzel Washington’s name — all thanks to his mom.
The actor spoke to Jimmy Kimmel on Tuesday about the moniker’s correct pronunciation as they discussed all the NFL players with the same name.
“This is how you know they named themselves after me,” the Golden Globe winner, 70, said during the “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” appearance. “My name is not pronounced Denzel.”
Everyone has been pronouncing Denzel Washington’s name incorrectly, the actor revealed.
He said the pronunciation change began with his mother, Lennis Washington (right), when he was younger. MediaPunch via Getty Images
Instead of “DEN-zel,” Washington said his name correctly and clipped the second syllable to sound like “DEN-zuhl.”
He explained, “My father’s Denzel Hayes Washington Sr. I’m Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. My mother [Lennis Washington] would say ‘Denzel,’ and we’d both show up.
“So she said, ‘From now on, you’re Denzel,’” Denzel recalled, using the pronunciation he is known for. “That’s how we got Denzel.”
The actor and his father share the same name, which should be said as “DEN-zuhl.” Getty Images
However, his mom changed the way she pronounced her son’s moniker to reduce confusion. @NIKOTYLER / BACKGRID
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Kimmel, 57, replied, “That’s smart.”
There are, currently, “four players named Denzel in the NFL,” which the talk show host said increased after Washington won his first Oscar in 1990.
“There [were] zero in 1987,” Kimmel pointed out.
Before that, the “Highest 2 Lowest” star and his dad would “both show up” when Lennis called. Marion Curtis / StarPix for AppleTV+
Jimmy Kimmel applauded Lennis’ “smart” decision during Tuesday’s interview. Ouzounova/Splash News
Denzel agreed, “I know. There are a lot of Denzels now.”
The “Highest 2 Lowest” star previously shared his mother’s strategy while on the “Graham Norton Show” in 2013.
He trolled Graham Norton at the time, repeating his moniker both ways as the 62-year-old inquired which was the right way to say Denzel.
The host noted the name’s increase in popularity since Denzel’s fame, judging by how many NFL players now have it. MediaPunch via Getty Images
Because they pronounce it “DEN-zel,” he knows “they named themselves after” him.
Recently, Kirsten Dunst made similar headlines over “everyone” mispronouncing her name — which she revealed should be said “Keer-sten.”
“I don’t care,” the actress, 43, quipped in a Town & Country interview last month, clarifying that she will “answer to” anything.
“You just give up,” she said, laughing off the common mistake.