Diana Ross's Real Name: Diane Ernestine Ross

Quick answer: The Library of Congress records Diana Ross's name as Diane Ernestine Ross, so "Diana" is a variant of the "Diane" in her records. She was born on March 26, 1944, in Detroit, Michigan. She led Motown's Supremes, which scored 12 No. 1 pop hits, before a solo career that included "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and "Endless Love" (Library of Congress; Britannica).

Real name and early life

The Library of Congress name authority files her as "Ross, Diana, 1944-" and lists the variant "Ross, Diane Ernestine, 1944-." One citation reads "Ross, Diana (Diane Ernestine); born March 26, 1944, Detroit." Another notes the first name "Diane" and says she graduated from Detroit's Cass Technical High School in 1962. Britannica lists "Diane Earle" among her other names, and Wikipedia gives her name as Diana Ernestine Earle Ross. Sources agree on her birth date and her Detroit birthplace.

Britannica says her career began in 1959, when she and neighborhood friends formed the vocal group the Primettes. Late the next year they signed with Motown and became the Supremes.

Career highlights

The Supremes were Ross, Mary Wilson, and Florence Ballard, who was replaced by Cindy Birdsong in 1967. Their 12 No. 1 pop hits included "Baby Love" (1964), "Stop! In the Name of Love" (1965), and "Someday We'll Be Together" (1969). In 1967 the group was renamed Diana Ross and the Supremes, and she went solo in 1970.

Her debut album, Diana Ross (1970), included "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." Later hits included "Love Hangover" (1976), "Upside Down" (1980), and "Endless Love" (1981), her duet with Lionel Richie, which topped Billboard's pop, R&B, and adult contemporary charts. She played Billie Holiday in Lady Sings the Blues (1972) and starred in Mahogany (1975), singing its theme "Do You Know Where You're Going To," and The Wiz (1978).

LOC notes that she returned to Motown in 1989 as a performer and company director. She published the autobiography Secrets of a Sparrow in 1993. Her 2006 album I Love You was followed by a 2007 tour. She entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Supremes in 1988, received a Grammy lifetime achievement award in 2012, and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016. Britannica notes that actress Tracee Ellis Ross is one of her children.

Name notes for searchers

Sources differ on her first name and middle names. LOC uses Diane Ernestine, Britannica adds Diane Earle, and Wikipedia gives Diana Ernestine Earle Ross. She has always performed as Diana Ross, and Ross is her family surname. Searches for "Diane Ross" and "Diana Ross" refer to the same singer.