Fans are only just realising Maro Itoje's real name with England lock using nickname
Rugby NewsWednesday, 08 February 2023 at 13:45
Rugby Union fans feel they have been lied to after discovering Maro Itoje’s real name.
The England and Saracens star has gone by a much shortened version of his name throughout his entire playing career
Itoje's parents, Efe and Florence, are both Nigerian. Therefore, the second-rower was given a traditional Nigerian name that is less well known to the common fan.
Proud of his heritage, Itoje has been visiting the country annually in the past couple of years.
"I have been back every summer for the past three or four years," Itoje told the Mail Online.
"I used to go for the whole summer when I was much younger but when I joined the Saracens Academy I went for the whole summer, came back and could barely run!
"Too much food and not enough exercise. When you are in Nigeria it is not too conducive to doing a lot of physical work, unfortunately!"
Maro Itoje's real name:
The name Oghenemaro Itoje does not sound too familiar to many rugby enthusiasts, yet, when it’s shortened to Maro, every England supporter would have words of praise for the latest English rugby superstar.
A submission from Canada says: "This name Ogenemaro means God is Greatest or it could also be translated God is greater.
"And the name originates from the Isoko tribe in Delta State of Nigeria."
Maro Itoje facts:
- As a schoolboy, Itoje played several sports including basketball, football, rugby and athletics, representing England at U17 level in shot put.
- His guests would include a footballer! He told JOE: “I would pick Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali and Jay-Jay Okocha. He’s in there, my Nigerian brother!”
- “Richard Hill MBE – he is a former rugby union footballer who played flanker for Saracens and England and is the England team manager – he’s inspirational.”
- He is the cousin of Bath and England loosehead-prop Beno Obano. Gloucester speedster Ollie Thorley is also Itoje’s cousin, after his grandfather re-married a Nigerian woman who is the Saracens lock’s aunt.
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Dallaglio is not the only player who goes by a different name, and some fans were also taken aback when they learned Leigh Halfpenny's first name is actually Stephen.
#1. Leigh is really Stephen Halfpenny
#2. Doddie is really George Wilson Weir
#3. Manu is really Manusamoa Tuilagi
Manu Tuilagi of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Australia at Twickenham on 13 November 2021. Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK
#4. Conor is really Gerard Murray
#5. Richie is really Richard McCaw
#6. Scott is really Leon Quinnell
#7. Iain is really William Henderson
#8. Sonny Bill WIlliams is Sonny William Williams
Sonny Bill Williams of New Zealand applauding the crowd - Photo mandatory by-line: Dean Lancaster/Pinnacle - Tel: +44(0)1363 881025 - Mobile:0797 1270 681 - VAT Reg No: 183700120 - 02/10/2015 - SPORT - RUGBY UNION - RUGBY WORLD CUP 2015 - POOL C Match 23 - New Zealand v Georgia- Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales.
#9. Will is really Sanchez William Genia
#10. Mako is really Makovina Wanangarua I Whanga Nui-Atara Vunipola
Mako Vunipola of England during the Autumn Nations Cup match between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on November 21 2020. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
#11. Francois is really Jacobus Pienaar
#12. Lawrence is really Lorenzo Dallaglio
#13. Taulupe is really Tangaki Faletau
Taulupe Faletau during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bath Rugby and Saracens at the Recreation Ground on 17 Oct. Photo: Steve Haag/PPAUK
#14. Bakkies is really John Philip Botha
#15. Billy is really Viliami Vunipola
Billy Vunipola of Saracens on the break during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final Match between Leicester Tigers and Saracens at Twickenham Stadium on 18 June 2022. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#16. Rassie is Johan Erasmus
#17. Rob Andrew is Christopher Andrew
#18. Bundee is really Fua Leiofi Bundellu Aki
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#19. Mils is really Junior Malili Muliaina
#20. Joe is really Ratu Josateki Tuivanuavou Waqanivalu Cokanasiga
Joe Cokanasiga of England waves in the direction of the crowd following the Guinness Six Nations Round Four match between England and Italy at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on the 9th March 2019. Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK.
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