#2 Muhammad Ali was briefly known as Cassius X
In 1964, Muhammad Ali announced that he would join the Nation of Islam and just as Malcolm X, he would rechristen himself as Cassius X. The rationale behind this decision of adopting X as a surname was explained by Malcolm X in a TV interview “The last name of my forefathers was taken from them when they were brought to America and made slaves. And then the name of the slave master was given which we refuse, we reject that name today. We refuse to acknowledge it, whatsoever.” Later, on March 6, 1964 Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad bestowed upon him the holy name Muhammad Ali.
Ali later himself said, “Cassius Clay is a slave name. Clay means dirt. I didn’t choose it and I didn’t want it. I am Muhammad Ali, a free name — Muhammad means ‘worthy of praise’ and Ali means ‘most high’ — and I insist people use it when people speak to me and of me.”
