I Just Learned Whoopi Goldberg's Name Isn't Actually Whoopi Thanks To This Story She Told About Her Mom On The View

Image from Cinemablend

• Whoopi's real name is actually Caryn Elaine Johnson, but she changed it to Whoopi Goldberg after her mother told her their family name wasn't 'Jewish-y' enough for showbiz.
• Whoopi's mom encouraged the name change, saying 'You're black, first of all, and you're going to have a Jewish name? I didn't think so,' highlighting the challenges of being a minority in Hollywood back then.