JoJo Siwa Quietly Changes Her Name on TikTok

American singer and dancer JoJo Siwa has made a subtle but noticeable change. Quietly, she updated her name on TikTok. The move followed a reflective video reviewing her past year.

On December 28, 2025, just days before the new year, Siwa posted the clip. It quickly went viral. Within hours, it reached nearly 8 million views.

Fans Notice a New Name

Alongside her visible transformation, fans spotted another surprise. Her TikTok account now listed her as Joelle Siwa.

For most of her career, she used the nickname “JoJo.” As a result, the change caught many followers off guard. Born Joelle Joanie Siwa, the 22-year-old appeared to return to her birth name without explanation.

A Year of Change, Shared Online

In the caption, Siwa reflected on the year behind her.
“Beautiful year if you ask me,” she wrote. “Couldn’t count all the highs if you asked me to.”

The video opened with a March 2025 red-carpet photo from the iHeartRadio Music Awards. She wore a denim co-ord set, a jeweled headpiece, and bold glitter makeup. Later that month, she appeared in similar fashion at the GLAAD Media Awards.

Then came the contrast. The second image showed Siwa in a simple Christmas sweater.
“The girl who is exiting 2025,” she wrote.

Mixed Reactions Flood Social Media

Naturally, reactions poured in. Some fans welcomed the shift. They praised her more refined, toned-down look. Others, however, felt confused by the name change.

One X user wrote, “JoJo Siwa evolving! I wonder if this is a full rebrand or just a TikTok thing.”
Another joked, “Her adventure was so bizarre she changed her name.”

Some fans also referenced JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, the anime series that shares her long-used nickname.

Image credits: itsjojosiwa/Instagram

Questions About Identity and Image

Meanwhile, others speculated about deeper meaning. Some questioned whether the transformation reflected a change in how Siwa presents herself publicly.

In recent years, Siwa has avoided labeling her sexuality, after first coming out as lesbian in 2021. That shift led some netizens to wonder whether her new image signaled another personal evolution.

Chris Hughes Enters the Conversation

Soon, attention turned to Siwa’s boyfriend, Chris Hughes. Fans linked the changes to their relationship.

The two met while filming Celebrity Big Brother. In June 2025, Siwa confirmed that their bond was romantic. Hughes, 33, is a former Love Island contestant and sports presenter.

Some critics accused Hughes of influencing her image. One TikTok user wrote, “She never wanted to be called Joelle until she started dating her boyfriend.”

Backlash Isn’t New for Siwa

This isn’t the first time Siwa has faced scrutiny. In July 2025, she sparked debate after sharing a cover of Bette Davis Eyes while dressed as a housewife.

At the time, she shut down the criticism. Speaking to CNN, she clarified that the outfit was just a Halloween costume.
“I don’t know where ‘trad wife’ came from,” she said.

Supporters Push Back

Still, not everyone criticized her. Many fans defended both Siwa and her relationship.

“Chris Hughes has been so good for and to you,” one supporter commented.
Another added, “You’ve never glowed more than when Chris was loving you.”

Siwa’s Subtle Response

Finally, Siwa appeared to address the noise without saying a word. On December 31, she posted another TikTok. This time, she lip-synced to lyrics from her hit song Boomerang.

“I don’t really care about what they say.”

And with that, she let the moment speak for itself.