Chris Pratt recently offered a glimpse into a little-known chapter of his life, revealing that his Hollywood name almost looked very different. Long before red carpets and blockbuster roles, a worn-out name tag at a restaurant sparked an idea that briefly followed him into his acting ambitions.
During a podcast conversation, Pratt explained how the alternate name came to be. While working as a waiter at Bubba Gump’s Shrimp Company, his name tag originally read “Christopher.” Over time, part of it rubbed off, leaving just “Christo.”
On the Thursday, Jan. 22 episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Pratt shared, “Not even rebranded, just branded. I was gonna be ‘Christo.’ I had a name tag that said Christopher, but at Bubba Gump’s Shrimp Company, the P H E R part got rubbed off, so it said Christo.”
The nickname stuck. Coworkers used it daily, and with frequent staff changes at the restaurant, many new hires assumed it was his real name.
“Everyone called me Christo for a long time,” Pratt said. “While I was working at Bubba Gump, there was a high turnover rate, and new employees thought my name was Christo.”
Considering “Christo” as a Stage Name
As Pratt moved closer to a career in entertainment, the idea of keeping that name felt surprisingly realistic. The nickname had become part of his identity during a period of uncertainty and ambition.
“As I navigated being discovered and brought to Los Angeles to follow my dreams, part of me thought — in earnest — maybe I’d go, ‘It’s just Christo,’” he shared.
In the end, the actor chose simplicity. He introduced himself professionally as Chris Pratt, placing him among Hollywood’s well-known group of Chrises, including Chris Pine, Chris Evans, and Chris Hemsworth.
That similarity still causes mix-ups. Pratt joked that someone on his current press tour recently called him Chris Pine. According to him, it was not confusion but the rhythm of the names that led to the slip.
Life Beyond the Name Game
Away from name stories and press tours, Pratt remains focused on family and work-life balance. He shares four children with his wife, Katherine Schwarzenegger: Lyla, 5, Eloise, 3, and Ford, 1. He is also father to Jack, 13, from his previous marriage to Anna Faris.
Pratt has spoken openly about adjusting his schedule to stay present at home. That priority influenced his decision to take on the film “Mercy,” which was shot in Los Angeles.
While promoting “Mercy,” Pratt discussed the preparation process during New York Comic Con in October 2025. He told PEOPLE that the role involved hands-on experience with real professionals.
“I had an opportunity to work with the LAPD and their homicide division, and so I was able to go down and talk to those guys,” Pratt said. He also noted that he performed stunts while working alongside officers, calling the experience impressive and intense.
“It was really incredible,” he added. “Some of the stunt work we did was really great.”
Chris Pratt’s near-miss with the name “Christo” highlights how small, ordinary moments can shape big decisions. A faded name tag, a restaurant job, and a period of transition all played a role in a choice that helped define a Hollywood career.
Today, the story stands as a reminder that even the most familiar names often come with unexpected beginnings.
