the fandom Are Confused After Media Treats Elle And Dakot...

What’s Happening

Here’s the thing: “A lot of famous people go by their middle names.

This isn’t news,” dropped one fan. Celebrities , Entertainment Jan 14, 2026 the fandom Are Confused After Media Treats Elle And Dakota Fanning’s Real Names As Breaking News Samridhi Goel News Writer 1 24 1 Link copied! (wild, right?)

A resurfaced piece of trivia about Elle Fanning and Dakota Fanning just sparked attention after the fandom noticed that the sisters do not use their given first names professionally.

The Details

While some outlets framed it as surprising , viewers across socials platforms focused less on the news itself and more on whether it was actually new to longtime the fandom. Highlights the fandom are pushing back against “breaking news” that Elle and Dakota Fanning use their middle names professionally.

The sisters have long broke down that using middle names is a common family and Southern tradition. The duo is set to star together for the first time in The Nightingale, an adaptation of Kristin Hannah’s novel.

Why This Matters

“Technically, those are their real names, just not their first names. RELATED: Elle and Dakota Fanning have always gone names because of their Southern tradition Elle and Dakota Fanning posing together at an event, attracting the fandom confused of their real names. Image credits: Getty/Kevin Mazur Despite the dramatic framing, Elle and Dakota Fanning have always used their middle names , even before the two of them became famous.

People online are sharing their takes and it’s getting heated.

Key Takeaways

• They were born Mary Elle Fanning and Hannah Dakota Fanning, a fact both actresses have openly discussed over the years.
• In a 2016 interview with Glamour, Elle broke down that going was common in her family.
• “My mom goes name, and my sister goes name.
• It’s possibly a Southern thing, I don’t know,” she dropped.

The Bottom Line

Elle Fanning posing in an elegant floral embellished gown, highlighting the fandom confused real names. Image credits: ellefanning She further noted that the choice occasionally caused confusion at school, especially during roll call, when teachers would call out “Mary” without realizing it referred to her.

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