LeBron James once regretted giving Bronny his name. His son’s words now reveal why

L eBron James gave his eldest son his name as an expression of love, then years later admitted he regretted the pressure that came with it. Now, as father and son begin separate chapters in the NBA, Bronny has put that burden into words.

At the Lakers’ September 28 media day, Bronny explained what drives him to build his own career. His answer gives new meaning to his father’s concern from 2018 : carrying the name LeBron is one thing; earning recognition as Bronny is another.

Bronny’s words bring his father’s old concern into focus

“You guys know me as Bronny, my real name is LeBron,” he said.

I've been doing this for however long so I think it's a motivating factor for me just getting up every day and trying to prove myself as Bronny instead of LeBron

His distinction was simple and personal. He wants his work to give people a reason to recognize him individually . In the fuller explanation, Bronny described building his own career as motivation to get into the gym, work hard and learn from players with more experience. His ambition begins with those ordinary, daily responsibilities.

The nickname itself is not new. Reporting from 2018 already identified him as Bronny, years before his NBA debut . What his latest comments offer is a clear explanation of what that name represents to him now: the opportunity to establish an identity through his own effort.

His father had already recognized the difficulty. During a 2018 conversation on The Shop, LeBron said, “I still regret giving my 14-year-old my name.” He explained that growing up without a father had shaped his desire to give his children the presence and opportunities he had missed. Naming his son after himself was part of that connection, but he also acknowledged that his children would have to choose their own direction.

Those words give Bronny’s statement a deeper context. A father wanted to pass something meaningful to his son. The son now wants to make that inheritance his own. Many families experience some version of that transition; in this one, it unfolds in the same profession, under cameras and alongside one of basketball’s most famous careers.

Their separation as teammates makes the distinction more visible. After two seasons together, LeBron is pursuing his next chapter with the Sixers, while Bronny has been working toward a role behind Lakers guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. A different locker room will not remove the comparisons, but it gives their professional lives a clearer distance.

Bronny has also said his father knows he wants to make a name for himself and continue developing. He expressed happiness for LeBron and excitement about the opportunity to face him on Christmas Day in Los Angeles. There is affection in that anticipation: the man he once shared a bench with could soon be on the other side of the court.

For now, Bronny is asking for the chance to build something through the work he does each day. His real name will remain LeBron. What he hopes people remember about Bronny is still his to write.