Olivia Wilde has publicly clarified the pronunciation of her birth surname, Cockburn. Speaking on the "Armchair Expert" podcast with Dax Shepard and Monica Padman, Wilde explained that her Scottish surname is pronounced "Coburn" (KOH-burn).
Wilde, 42, noted that while the name is spelled C-O-C-K-B-U-R-N, its pronunciation is not phonetic. She described the experience of having a name that drew attention, suggesting it provided an "early important lesson" in developing a sense of humor and the ability to laugh at oneself.
The director adopted the surname Wilde in high school, a tribute to the Irish author Oscar Wilde. In a previous interview with Playboy, she stated that this choice also aimed to honor the writers in her family, many of whom used pen names for their professional careers. She cited her grandfather, James Helvick, as an example, who wrote the novel "Beat the Devil."
Wilde also commented on the frequent use of puns involving her chosen surname in media coverage, such as "Born to Be Wilde" or "Take a Walk on the Wilde Side." She indicated that while she doesn't mind these playful references, they were not her intention when she selected the name.
Both of Wilde's parents, Andrew and Leslie Cockburn, are journalists. Her mother, Leslie Cockburn, is an investigative journalist and documentary filmmaker who produced for "60 Minutes." Her father, Andrew Cockburn, is a British journalist, author, and magazine editor known for his documentary work with PBS. Several of her paternal aunts, uncles, and grandfather were also involved in writing and journalism.