It seems that it was Lyon who was the most enthusiastic of the two about the name Marilyn Monroe. In “Marilyn Monroe: The Biography,” Donald Spoto writes that Norma Jeane “was not immediately convinced,” concerned that the name Marilyn “sounded strange, artificial.” It was only when Lyon gushed about how popular Marilyn Miller had made the name that she agreed. “Well, I guess I’m Marilyn Monroe,” she reportedly smiled, and so a legend was born. In late February 1956, per The Atlantic, the actress made this her legal name.
Lyon’s pivotal role in naming Monroe is corroborated by the star herself, as evidenced by an elusive photograph. Time reported in 2018 that a shot of Monroe and Lyon, which had been taken while the iconic “The Seven Year Itch” was being made, had been signed by the star. The illuminating writing reads, “Dear Ben, You found me, named me and believed in me when no one else did. My thanks and love forever.” She signed off with an affectionate, “Marilyn.”
This photograph, Time goes on, was part of an exhibition at Las Angeles’ The Paley Center for Media in August and September of that year. There can be no doubt that Lyon kickstarted her extraordinary career with that first contract, but it also seems evident that he literally “named” her too.
