Did JoJo Siwa just change her name? Fans split over her ‘biggest pull ever’ on TikTok — here’s the buzz

As the world stepped into 2026, JoJo Siwa gave fans something unexpected to talk about. Known for growing up in the spotlight, the former Dance Moms star marked the new year with a quiet but meaningful change that quickly sparked conversation online. It was not a new song or show this time, but something more personal, her name.

On December 31, just hours before 2026 began, JoJo surprised her followers by changing the name in her TikTok bio. Instead of the familiar “JoJo Siwa”, fans now saw her full birth name: Joelle Siwa. The update was small, but it sent a big message.

The 22-year-old singer and performer did not directly explain the change. Instead, she shared a video that made fans think something new was on the way. In the clip, JoJo lip-synced to her 2016 hit song Boomerang and added the words, “I’mma come back like a boomerang.” In the caption, she teased her 46 million followers by writing that a big year was ahead.

The comment section under JoJo’s video quickly filled with reactions. Many fans loved the change and saw it as a fresh start. One supporter wrote, “Her changing her name from Jojo to Joelle has to be the biggest pull ever!!! 2026 is going to be crazy!!!” Another added kind words, saying, “Joelle feels so authentic; wishing you every happiness in 2026.”

Still, not everyone agreed. Some fans worried about leaving behind a name that feels tied to her success. One comment read, “But ‘Jojo’ is literally a brand at this point; you couldn’t pry that name away from me for anything.” The mixed reactions showed just how connected people feel to JoJo’s journey. However, she has so far left her name unchanged on Instagram.

The name update is not the only big shift in JoJo’s life this year. Her personal world has also changed in a very happy way. In April, JoJo appeared on Celebrity Big Brother UK, where she met British presenter Chris Hughes. Not long after the show, the two began dating and quickly grew close.

Talking to E! News in June, JoJo shared how special the relationship feels to her. “What I realised with Christopher is I have never second-guessed my feelings for him,” she said. “Therefore, I've never second-guessed my happiness; I've never second-guessed what I'm feeling. And I think that's the most beautiful thing.”

JoJo explained that the relationship has brought calm into her life. “When I think about him, I'm full of pure joy. When I speak about him, I'm full of pure joy,” she said. She also shared how relaxed she feels right now, adding, “I feel so happy and peaceful that the love that I feel is so real. You can't really help who you fall in love with.”

The couple ended the year staying busy together. In December, JoJo hosted a soccer-themed birthday party for Chris as he turned 33 on December 22.