Norma Jeane Became Marilyn Monroe
Norma Jeane became Marilyn Monroe at her first meeting with Darryl Zanuck and Ben Lyon during her screen test for the studio. The name Marilyn was suggested by Lyon, who thought that Norma reminded him of Broadway actress Marilyn Miller. The last name Monroe was chosen by Norma because it was her mother’s maiden name. Neither of them had any idea then just how popular this name would soon become around the world.