Why Did Engelbert Humperdinck Change His Name?

Engelbert Humperdinck changed his name as part of a rebranding effort suggested by his former roommate and music impresario, Gordon Mills. In 1965, Mills, who had become the manager of another successful artist, Tom Jones, took notice of Humperdinck’s struggle for success in the music industry under his birth name, Arnold George Dorsey.

To make the singer’s name more distinctive and memorable, Mills proposed a name change. The name “Engelbert Humperdinck” was borrowed from the 19th-century German composer best known for his opera “Hansel and Gretel.”

The new name, with its unusual and theatrical quality, aimed to create an attention-grabbing persona for the artist.

The rebranding strategy proved successful, and Engelbert Humperdinck achieved international prominence in 1967 with the recording of “Release Me.” The name change not only contributed to his distinctive image but also played a role in shaping his enduring legacy as a renowned and memorable pop singer.