BTS’ SUGA
My Stage Name Packs A Punch
… Inspired By Boxing Legend!!!
Published
April 6, 2026
7:09 AM PDT
BTS rapper SUGA is clarifying the origin of his stage name … revealing it’s not short for “shooting guard” after all — it takes inspiration from a completely different sport!!
The Bangtan Boys did an interview with WIRED amid their “ARIRANG” album press tour … where they answered the internet’s biggest questions about the massive K-pop group.
When it came to Yoongi around the 13-minute mark, a prompt asked “SUGA name meaning” … and V and Jung Kook both responded “shooting guard,” but the 33-year-old actually corrected them.
“I can finally explain this now,” SUGA said. “It’s not [shooting guard]. It was annoying to explain, so I just said that, But actually, it’s Sugar Ray Leonard.”
He went on to also shoutout UFC superstar Sean O’Malley, who also goes by “Suga” with no ‘R’ … pointing out how it’s a popular moniker in combat sports, but the Big Hit Music founder deserves the credit for giving it to him, too.
“There’s a legendary boxer named Sugar Ray Leonard, and I didn’t come up with it. Mr. Bang [Si-Hyuk] suggested it because he liked boxing so much. So people who have technical striking skills, the specialists are called ‘Suga.'”
And since he’s been known to be a technical MC, the name fit.
The story was news to all the members — even J-Hope admitted it was his first time finding out about the explanation.
SUGA said he went with the “shooting guard” story for a while since it was much easier … and he was tired of trying to explain the REAL inspiration.
The basketball reference makes sense — after all SUGA was a global ambassador for the league a few years back … and has hit up several games himself.
But straight from the man himself — it’s a nod to boxing!!