The football legend explained that “Jay Jay” began as a nickname from his childhood neighborhood and eventually became his official name—even though he jokingly says he still pays royalties to his brother.
Interviewer: “A lot of people might not know this, but your name is not Jay Jay, it is a nickname you came from your brother James. Why did it stick?”
Jay Jay Okocha: “Well I think it started off in the neighborhood where we all grew up. All of us were footballers because we had no other toys.
And my two brothers played as well. We had few Austin's then. So to identify which Austin is which, they started calling me Austin Jay Jay's brother. So from there Austin Jay Jay.
When I came to traveled, people were struggling to pronounce my name Augustine. So I said Jay Jay was a lot easier and I said I might as well adopt the name. It's now in my passport. It's officially mine. But I still pay royalties to my brother....”
