Has former President Bill Clinton ever used his birth name together with his adopted name? According to my trusty World Book Encyclopedia, he was born William Jefferson Blythe IV, son of William Jefferson Blythe III. His father died before he was born, and his mother married Roger Clinton when Bill was four. Bill used his stepfather’s name growing up, and officially changed his name to William Jefferson Clinton when he was 15. His stepfather died in 1967.
I sometimes see his name given as William Jefferson Blythe Clinton, and I am wondering if that is correct. I suspect he could have used that name at some time, out of respect for his mother. (I seem to remember she went by Virginia Blythe at the time of her death.) Does anyone know for sure?
-Myron
He was sworn in as president by the name William Jefferson Clinton.
I’ve only had a quick look across some of the hits in this Google search, but it seems that aside from genealogy sites (which put the “Blythe” in brackets), many of the other sites insert the “Blythe” when they make statements against his terms in office, political record, ethics etc.
It looks like, though, the “Blythe” was dropped officially (although one site is terribly confused, stating his birth father was William Jefferson Blythe Clinton III.)
Ice Wolf hit upon my reasoning for asking the question (which I omitted so as not to taint the responses). And Walloon answered the question I forgot to ask. Thanks to both of you (and to anyone else who may have more info.)
-Myron
At the time of her death, Bill Clinton’s mother went by the name Virginia Kelly.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/choice/bill/kelly.html