BTS‘s Suga has revealed the true story behind his stage name, stunning fans and rewriting thirteen years of BTS’s history.

Recently, BTS sat down for Wired‘s “Autocomplete Interview,” where they answered fan questions pulled from Google autocomplete searches. One of these searches was about Suga’s name. Suga originally told fans that “Suga” is short for “shooting guard,” a basketball position.
However, Suga said he told everyone Suga was short for “shooting guard” because the real behind-the-name story was too “annoying” to explain. He revealed that the real inspiration comes from legendary American boxer Sugar Ray Leonard, a five-time world champion renowned for his technical striking skills and precision in the ring.

The other members looked surprised, with J-Hope, Jin, and V playfully calling him out for possibly making it up or gatekeeping it for 13 years. V leaned in with a skeptical grin, asking, “But didn’t you make that up recently?” but Suga insisted this is the true story.
Unsurprisingly, fans are shocked that Suga could “gatekeep” this information for over a decade, and some aren’t sure what to believe!
Yoongi telling us the real meaning behind the name SUGA after 13 years and saying that shooting guard was what he just used caused it was annoying to explain… MIN YOONGI HOW LONG DID YOU PLAN TO GATEKEEP THIS INFO pic.twitter.com/Ug1RKNxo13
— ⭑ (@sugadooll) April 6, 2026
the real question is was he bullshitting us for 13 years or is he bullshitting us right now
— 아포방포⁷ 🪭㉧㉣㉣🪭ARIRANG (@minyoonmonmari) April 6, 2026
the members don’t even believe his ass. what has he been doing bruh
— aeri⸆⸉ ★ (@buckleycomet) April 6, 2026
how do we know hes also not bullshiting here https://t.co/Ri6NmsWZoU
— jojo⁷ is seeing bts 🪭 (@93SHAD0WS) April 6, 2026
Watch the full interview here:


