Lady Antebellum changed their name to “Lady A” in June 2020 because they recognized that the word “antebellum” is closely associated with the pre–Civil War American South and, by extension, slavery and racial oppression.

Original name and its issues

The band originally chose “Lady Antebellum” after taking early photos in front of antebellum-style Southern homes and liking the connection to Southern musical influences. Later, they acknowledged that they had not fully considered that “antebellum” refers to the era before the Civil War, a period defined in large part by the enslavement of Black people in the South.

Reason for changing to “Lady A”

Amid the 2020 racial justice protests and broader reflection in the entertainment industry, the group said they felt “regretful and embarrassed” about the name’s associations and wanted to stop causing hurt or alienation for fans of color. They adopted “Lady A,” a nickname fans had already been using for years, as a way to distance themselves from the slavery-era connotations while signaling a commitment to be more conscious about racial inequality.

Aftermath and further controversy

After the change, the band faced a separate controversy because a Black blues singer, Anita White, had long performed under the name “Lady A,” which led to legal disputes later settled out of court. Despite that conflict, the country trio has continued to use the name “Lady A” and describes the change as part of a broader effort to “do better” regarding racism and historical sensitivity.