olivia wildeThe filmmakers of “Don’t Worry Darling” rarely mention their real names and have kept them under wraps for a long time — and there’s a reason for that. The 42-year-old told how her surname became the center of hilarious conversation, recalling being teased as a child. The actress says her name keeps her grounded no matter how her life journey unfolds.Here’s a closer look at Olivia Wilde clarifying her name.
Olivia Wilde reveals how to pronounce ‘Cockburn’
The American celebrity, whose real name is Olivia Jane Cockburn, changed her surname to “Wilde” for her acting career in homage to Irish writer Oscar Wilde. The “House” star emphasized the correct pronunciation during a podcast interview with the “Army Expert” host, saying: “I’ll tell you something – and you can’t possibly know this – it’s pronounced ‘Coburn'”. Dax Shepardthen added, “I want you to imagine when you were a kid… because it’s spelled, Cockburn.”In contrast to the names that were teased, Olivia emphasized that this was like a boy being named “Sue,” adding personality to the character. “I think this is important. We should all give our kids a devastating middle name so you don’t have to deal with complete bullying growing up,” the “Booksmart” director joked, continuing an important lesson she learned early in life.
Olivia Wilde recalls laughing with others on ‘Cockburn’
While she didn’t experience any bullying because of her name, Wilde learned to laugh at her pain along with others. “I don’t know. I thought it was funny, too. I was like, ‘Oh, I get it. This is funny,'” she said on the podcast. Even today, Olivia doesn’t know if it could have been worse for her or her nine-year-old brother. When the host asked if people would be kinder to him ten years from now, she said the last name “Cockburn” will always make people laugh.“In fact, it’s also comforting. It’s like no matter how we evolve, if your last name is Coburn, you just accept it.” [the chin],” she said, sharing another important life lesson she’s learned through her name.On the professional front, Olivia Wilde’s directorial film The Invitation was recently released on June 26, 2026.
