Denzel Washington Clarifies Correct Pronunciation of His Name

Everyone has been mispronouncing Denzel Washington’s name, and the actor has now set the record straight, attributing the confusion to his mother.

During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Washington explained that his name is not pronounced “Denzel,” as most believe. Instead, he said it should be pronounced “DEN-zuhl,” with a shortened second syllable.

He shared that his father’s name is Denzel Hayes Washington Sr., and he is Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. His mother, Lennis Washington, used to call him “Denzel,” and they both responded to it. However, she later decided to emphasize the correct pronunciation to avoid confusion, leading to the current way he says his name.

Jimmy Kimmel responded, “That’s smart.” Washington acknowledged that many now bear his name, noting there are four professional NFL players named Denzel—a number that has grown since he won his first Oscar in 1990.

He recounted how his mother’s decision to modify her pronunciation, to minimize confusion, has shaped how he says his name. The actor also humorously referenced his past where he played with both pronunciations during a 2013 appearance on the Graham Norton Show.