Coco Gauff Explains Why She Uses Nickname Ahead of French Open 2025 Final
Coco Gauff, the world No. 2 and 2023 US Open champion, shared the story behind her nickname “Coco” ahead of her French Open 2025 final against Aryna Sabalenka on June 7. Born Cori Dionne Gauff, she explained the switch from her birth name to avoid confusion at home. “My dad’s name is Corey, and they didn’t want me and my dad getting mixed up when my mom was yelling at one of us,” Gauff told Sports Illustrated Kids in 2021, per Express.co.uk. “My aunt says she came up with calling me Coco, but my dad said when he was younger, people called him Co, so they just went with Coco.” The nickname stuck, becoming her global identity since her 2019 Wimbledon breakout at age 15, where she defeated Venus Williams.
Gauff, now 21, noted the confusion her real name causes in everyday situations. “At hotels or airports, they see ‘Cori’ on my ID and ask, ‘Are you Coco?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, it’s just a nickname,’” she said, per Express.co.uk. The name “Coco” has become synonymous with her rise, including her 2024 French Open doubles title and 2023 US Open singles win. As she prepares to face Sabalenka in a rematch of their 2023 US Open final, Gauff’s relaxed approach—treating tournaments as a “victory lap” per a TikTok fan’s comment—reflects her mental resilience, a trait she’ll need against Sabalenka’s aggressive play, per The Athletic.
