Thursday, February 20, 2025

The first president to change their name

Gerald Ford was the first president to change his full name.

Famous Figures

G erald Ford will forever be in the history books as the 38th president of the United States, but he first entered the record books under a different name. He was born Leslie Lynch King Jr., making him the first president to completely change his name. He did so for a good reason: Ford's father abused his mother, Dorothy Ayer Gardner, and even threatened to murder her and her infant son after Ford was born. Gardner separated from her husband a mere 16 days after her son's birth, fleeing first to her sister's home in Oak Park, Illinois, before settling with her parents in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Gardner married Gerald Rudolph Ford shortly before her son's fourth birthday, and it wasn't until he turned 13 that he found out Gerald wasn't his biological father. Though he was never technically adopted, Ford formally changed his name to Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr. when he was 22. William Jefferson Blythe — better known as Bill Clinton — similarly changed his name at the age of 15, though in his case he took his stepfather's surname and kept his own first name.

Together with

Love Your Pet? Protect Them With a Plan That Works for You

Vet bills are rising, and your pet's health shouldn't cause financial stress. Whether it's a checkup, accident, or illness, costs can quickly add up. Pet insurance can cover up to 90% of eligible expenses, offering peace of mind and a healthier pet. Plans start at just $10 a month — affordable care for your furry friend. Check out Money's top pet insurance picks and find a plan today.

Find a Plan

Thank you for supporting our sponsors! They help us keep History Facts free.

By the Numbers

Ford's football jersey number at the University of Michigan

U.S. presidents named James (Madison, Monroe, Polk, Buchanan, Garfield, Carter)

Did you know?

Ford didn't have a vice president for the first four months of his presidency.

Gerald Ford took the oath of office on August 9, 1974, immediately following the resignation of President Richard Nixon amid the Watergate scandal. After considering Donald Rumsfeld and George H.W. Bush for the position of vice president, he nominated Nelson Rockefeller to be his VP on August 20. Rockefeller — the former governor of New York and a high-profile member of the ultra-wealthy Rockefeller family — accepted the position, despite claiming he was "just not built for standby equipment." After a confirmation process that revealed financial information he probably would have preferred to keep secret, Rockefeller was confirmed by Congress on December 19, roughly four months after Ford took office. Rockefeller opted not to serve as Ford's running mate in the 1976 election, claiming he "didn't come down [to Washington] to get caught up in party squabbles, which only make it more difficult for the president in a very difficult time," and was replaced by Bob Dole. Ford later said that not keeping Rockefeller was one of his biggest mistakes.