Kanye West officially changes name to Ye

Kanye West’s petition to legally change his name to “Ye,” with no middle or family name, was granted by a Los Angeles court today. Judge Michelle Williams Court in Los Angeles allowed the singer’s motion, which he filed on August 24 and said was for personal reasons.

What Does YE Mean?

“Ye,” the 44-year-old performer’s eighth studio album, was released in June 2018. It has, however, been his Twitter handle for quite some time. According to Deadline, the artist remarked in an interview with radio host Big Boy in the same year that he believes “ye” is “the most commonly used word in the Bible,” and that it means “you” in the Bible.

Meanwhile, Merriam Webster agrees with the definition, but adds that it is a plural version of “you,” not a singular version and that it is “mostly used in religious or literary language nowadays.” The more widespread use of the term as an archaic variant of “the,” as in “Ye olde abbey,” is the second meaning.

On Twitter in 2018, the rapper, music producer, and clothing entrepreneur revealed that he is no longer “the being formally known as Kanye West… I am YE.” While some may refer to Ye as an alter ego, West clarified in a later tweet: “Without his ego, who or what is Kanye West? Despite the rumors of a divorce, Ye’s ex-wife, Kim Kardashian West, has kept his previous name, even using it for her SNL appearance two weeks ago. The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star isn’t sure how (or if) she’ll keep up with Ye now.

Ye’s name change is the most recent upheaval in the star’s life. He also just offered his ranch and investment buildings in northern Wyoming for USD 11 million on the market. Ye moved from California to Wyoming in 2019.