The name of Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance has become a topic of considerable public interest. Best known for his bestselling memoir “Hillbilly Elegy,” published under the name J.D. Vance, the Ohio senator’s moniker is more intricate than it initially appears. This article delves into the reasons behind JD Vance’s name changes, exploring the personal and familial circumstances that shaped his identity.
Born James Donald Bowman on August 2, 1984, in Middletown, Ohio, Vance’s given name reflected his biological father, Donald Bowman. However, his parents’ separation when Vance was very young marked the beginning of a series of transformations, not just in his life but also in his name. Around the age of six, his mother, Beverly, remarried, and Vance was adopted by his stepfather, Robert Hamel. With this adoption came a new name: James David Hamel.
This legal change, orchestrated by his mother, was more than just a formality. It was a deliberate erasure of Donald Bowman from their lives, and consequently, from the public record. According to Ohio’s vital statistics office, the only birth certificate on file for Vance reads James David Hamel, effectively replacing his birth name entirely. Despite the change, his mother continued to call him J.D., keeping his initials consistent, a detail Vance recounts in “Hillbilly Elegy,” though he remained skeptical of her explanation that it was after an uncle named David.
Sen. JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance at the 2024 Republican National Convention, reflecting Vance’s public persona under the name JD Vance.
For over two decades, James David “J.D.” Hamel was the name that defined him. It was the name he used to graduate from Middletown High School, the name listed on his official military records as a U.S. Marine (Cpl. James D. Hamel), and the name he carried while earning a political science degree at The Ohio State University and during his time blogging as a Yale Law School student. These details are substantiated by official documents and confirmed by his campaign spokesperson, Taylor Van Kirk.
However, as Vance matured, particularly after his mother and adoptive father divorced, he felt increasingly disconnected from the name Hamel. He articulated this sentiment in “Hillbilly Elegy,” explaining his discomfort with sharing a name with someone he no longer felt connected to, especially his stepfather. The prospect of constantly explaining his name felt like reliving the painful instability of his childhood, marked by a “revolving door of father figures.”
This dissatisfaction led to another pivotal name change. He decided to reclaim the last name of his grandmother, Bonnie Blanton Vance, affectionately known as Mamaw, who had been a constant and nurturing presence throughout his upbringing.
The transition to Vance wasn’t a spontaneous decision. While “Hillbilly Elegy” might suggest it occurred around his wedding in 2014, campaign spokesperson Van Kirk clarified that the legal name change to Vance took place in April 2013, just before his graduation from Yale Law School. This timing was significant. As he prepared to embark on a new chapter, leaving behind the challenges of his early life, adopting the Vance surname felt like a fitting tribute to the woman who had raised him and passed away in 2005.
JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance at a dinner event in Washington, D.C., showcasing Vance’s established identity as JD Vance in his professional and public life.
According to Van Kirk, “Throughout his tumultuous childhood, Mamaw — or Bonnie Blanton Vance — raised JD and was always his north star. It only felt right to him to take Vance as his last name.” Furthermore, embracing the Vance name also connected him to his paternal heritage, which he described as “hillbilly royalty” in his book. He even noted a distant connection to the infamous Hatfield-McCoy feud through a cousin on his grandfather’s side, adding a layer of cultural identity to his choice.
Adopting the Vance surname provided JD Vance with a sense of closure and a fresh start as he launched his career as a lawyer and author. It became the name associated with his literary success, his professional registrations, his marriage, his ventures in Silicon Valley, and his role as a father. JD Vance solidified his identity under this name in all aspects of his life.
The final, subtle alteration to his name occurred when Vance entered the political arena in July 2021. He opted to drop the periods from J.D., officially becoming JD Vance. While he had used this abbreviated form informally for years, this marked its formal adoption in his public and professional life.
When questioned by The Associated Press about this change, his campaign clarified that it was a stylistic preference for print. This preference has persisted throughout his political career as a U.S. Senator. His Senate website, press releases, and official filings consistently refer to him as JD Vance.
Hometown of JD Vance in Middletown, Ohio, representing Vance’s roots and journey reflected in his evolving name and public identity.
Currently, JD Vance’s legal name remains James David Vance. However, in accordance with journalistic style guidelines and Vance’s own preference, news outlets like the Associated Press refer to him as JD Vance without periods. This final adjustment reflects a contemporary, streamlined public persona for the politician.
In conclusion, JD Vance’s name changes are a reflection of his personal journey, marked by family complexities and a quest for identity. From James Donald Bowman to James David Hamel and finally to JD Vance, each alteration signifies a significant life transition and ultimately, a deliberate embrace of his chosen heritage and public image.
