What is Freddie Flintoff's real name and why did he change it?

25 April 2025, 13:10

By Alice Dear

Freddie Flintoff has revealed the real reason he goes by the name 'Fred' or 'Freddie' and not his birth name 'Andrew'.

Freddie Flintoff, 47, opens up about his life, cricket and TV career and the horrific 'Top Gear' crash which left him with life-changing injuries in a new Disney+ documentary called 'Flintoff'.

In the film, Freddie goes into detail about the car crash (which happened in 2022) and his physical and mental recovery, which is still ongoing to this day.

He does, however, also touch on his career in cricket and his upbringing, including an explanation as to why he goes by 'Freddie Flintoff' despite the fact he was named 'Andrew Flintoff' by his parents.

• Listen to Heart on Global Player, the official Heart app

So, why does Andrew Flintoff go by the name 'Freddie'? Where did it come from and what has he said about it?

• Read more: Freddie Flintoff shares harrowing decision that saved his life during horror Top Gear crash
• Read more: What is Freddie Flintoff's net worth? His impressive earnings revealed
• Read more: Who is Freddie Flintoff's wife Rachael? Her age, children, job and marriage revealed

What is Freddie Flintoff's real name?

Freddie's Flintoff's real name is Andrew Flintoff. He was born on December 6, 1977, to parents Colin and Susan Flintoff and raised in Lancashire.

It wasn't until Andrew became a teenager that he adopted to nickname 'Freddie' from friends.

Why did Freddie Flintoff change his name?

Andrew Flintoff was given the nickname 'Freddie Flintoff' by his friends when he was a teenager, after the cartoon character Fred Flinstone as their surnames were similar.

The nickname stuck around, and when he found fame as a professional cricketer, he adopted the name as his official public moniker.

• Read more: What happened between Freddie Flintoff and Paddy McGuinness? Their friendship fallout explained
• Read more: Freddie Flintoff reveals heartache as 'frightened' son avoided him due to facial scars
• Read more: Freddie Flintoff car crash video shown for first time in emotional new documentary

Freddie speaks about his name in the Disney+ documentary 'Flintoff' when the director John Dower asked him what he should call him; Andrew or Freddie?

Replying to Dower, Freddie said: "I reckon Freddie would be good. Fred."

He goes on to explain: "It's strange, isn't it? Because obviously, my name is Andrew, and then - since I was about 15 - I've just been called Fred or Freddie.

"Because Andrew is probably more a reflection of me. Quite introverted. Just like his own space. But that would never have survived the world of professional sport. I knew that pretty quickly."