Bill and Melinda Gates' Kids Changed Their Names, Here's Why

Bill Gates, September 2024. Photo by Lula Oficial under CC BY_SA 2.0.

Melinda French Gates didn't want her kids growing up as modern royalty — even if their last name practically screamed it. While most billionaire offspring embrace the perks of their high-profile lineage, the children of Microsoft founder Bill Gates and philanthropist Melinda French Gates were given a rare, radical option: drop the "Gates" name. And in some cases, they did.

The Real-World Parenting of a Billionaire Mom

In a rare and candid interview, Melinda French Gates told Elle that she and Bill agreed early on to let their three children — Jennifer, 28; Rory, 25; and Phoebe, 22 — choose the last name they wanted to use once they reached middle school.

Until then, she made a very intentional decision to have them use her maiden name, French, in elementary school. Why? Because normalcy was the priority — and the Gates name was anything but normal.

According to Melinda, she wanted her children to "be seen for who they were," not as walking legacies of tech wealth, as reported by Elle. She emphasized the importance of keeping her kids grounded, telling them repeatedly that being different didn't make them better.

The approach is striking, especially considering how other celebrity and billionaire families brand their kids for social media, fame, or early business ventures. Not so for the Gates-French brood. Melinda went the opposite direction — toward privacy, choice, and an almost anti-legacy stance.

Who Kept 'Gates' — and Who Didn't?

Both parents made it known the decision was always up to each child. So how did it play out?

Jennifer, the eldest, decided she was ready to "take that name on," Melinda said in an interview with Elle. She started using the Gates name in middle school and has carried it publicly into adulthood — including through her high-profile equestrian competitions and medical training.

Her younger brother Rory? Not so much.

He stuck with the "French" surname through high school, choosing not to lean into the name that opens doors — or headlines.

In a world where last names function as luxury brands, the Gates' children's name choices became a quiet rebellion against that system — and a signal that identity, not optics, came first.

Divorce, Regret, and an Eye Roll Heard 'Round the Internet

The name conversation resurfaced amid a wave of media attention surrounding Bill and Melinda's 2021 divorce, which after 27 years made global headlines. As the couple reemerged into public life — separately — their differing styles became impossible to ignore.

Bill made waves earlier this year when he publicly referred to their divorce as "the mistake I most regret," as reported by E Online.

Melinda's reaction? An eye roll and a snappy retort that said everything. When asked about Bill's comments, she shrugged: "You've clearly Googled more than I have," according to E Online.

That dry wit might have been missed by some, but to anyone following her post-divorce evolution, it was a signal: Melinda's not playing the role of the sorrowful ex. She's thriving on her own terms — writing a memoir, staying focused on advocacy, and continuing to prioritize her children's well-being above public performance.

And the kids have responded. In a heartfelt social media comment, Jennifer called Melinda the "best mom in the world, then and now," beneath a throwback photo Melinda shared for Mother's Day, as reported by PEOPLE.

What a Name Really Means

For most families, names are about tradition. For the Gates-French family, they were about freedom.

In giving her children a choice, Melinda offered them something far more powerful than a bank account or a tech empire: control over how they're seen. Whether that meant leaning into the Gates legacy or sidestepping it altogether, the message was clear — your name is yours, not a brand or a burden.

Bill, despite his mega-billionaire status and past missteps, seems to agree. He's said that having their three children remains his proudest legacy — more than Microsoft, more than money. And Melinda, who calls herself "okay on my own," according to PEOPLE, is making sure those kids know their worth isn't tied to a last name — even one worth $130 billion.

In the end, maybe the most surprising thing about the Gates kids isn't their wealth, their education, or their famous parents. It's the fact that they were raised to been seen for who they are.

References: Why Melinda French Gates and Bill Gates Let Their Kids Change Their Last Names | Melinda French Gates Reveals Why She Allowed Her Children to Choose Their Last Name During School | Melinda French Gates Is Redefining What It Means to Leave a Legacy