Fact Check: "JD Vance changed his name"
What We Know
James David Vance, commonly known as JD Vance, was born James Donald Bowman on August 2, 1984, in Middletown, Ohio. His name changed multiple times throughout his life due to personal circumstances, including adoption. After his mother married for the third time, he was adopted by his stepfather, Robert Hamel, and his name was changed to James David Hamel. This change was made to remove his biological father's name from his identity (Wikipedia, AP News).
Vance has stated that he has used the initials "J.D." throughout his life, which stands for James David, and he has published works under the name J.D. Vance since the release of his memoir, Hillbilly Elegy, in 2016 (AP News). In 2013, he legally changed his surname to Vance to honor his maternal grandmother, Bonnie Blanton Vance, although he had already been using the name informally (USA Today).
Analysis
The claim that JD Vance changed his name is substantiated by multiple credible sources. His name changes are documented in both his memoir and various news articles that discuss his background and the reasons behind his name changes. The transition from James Donald Bowman to James David Hamel, and finally to JD Vance, reflects significant personal and familial changes in his life, particularly following his mother's remarriage and subsequent adoption (Wikipedia, AP News).
The sources used to verify this claim are reliable. Wikipedia provides a comprehensive overview of Vance's life and has been corroborated by news articles from reputable outlets such as the Associated Press and USA Today, which detail the complexities of his name changes and their implications on his identity (Wikipedia, AP News, USA Today). These articles not only confirm the name changes but also provide context about Vance's upbringing and the motivations behind these changes, making them credible sources of information.
Conclusion
The claim that JD Vance changed his name is True. His name has undergone several changes throughout his life, primarily due to personal circumstances such as adoption and a desire to honor family heritage. The evidence from reliable sources confirms the accuracy of this claim.
