COLUMBUS, Ohio — The name of Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance has become a topic of intrigue as he introduces himself to voters nationwide.
Vance, a senator from Ohio, first gained widespread recognition in 2016 with the release of his bestselling memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy,” where he explained his name change—J.D. Vance—short for James David. Interestingly, this is not the first or last time his name has undergone transformation.
Born James Donald Bowman in Middletown, Ohio, on August 2, 1984, his early life was marked by family turbulence; his parents separated when he was young. After being adopted by his stepfather Robert Hamel at the age of six, he became James David Hamel, with his birth name altered from public records.
Vance’s mother renamed him, while keeping his initials the same, and noted that he was universally known as J.D. However, he expressed skepticism about the reasoning behind the choice of his middle name, suspecting it was a move to distance from his biological father’s name.
For over two decades, he was known as James David “J.D.” Hamel. This identity shaped his educational and professional journey, from graduating high school to serving in Iraq as a U.S. Marine and later earning a law degree from Yale.
Following a difficult childhood, particularly after his mother’s divorce, Vance decided to change his surname to Vance—honoring his beloved grandmother, Mamaw, who played a significant role in his upbringing.
This name change took place in April 2013, just before his Yale graduation, aligning with his aspirations and personal rebirth. Claiming the Vance name also further connected him to his familial roots.
As he stepped into the political arena in July 2021, he opted to drop the periods from his initials, transitioning to JD Vance, a branding choice his campaign confirmed reflected his preferred style.
Today, JD Vance’s legal name remains James David Vance, yet he maintains his signature as JD, a testament to his journey and identity as he campaigns for national office.
