Snoop Dogg got his famous nickname thanks to his mom

He’s one of the most iconic names in hip-hop history — but it turns out Snoop Dogg’s legendary moniker has a hilarious and surprisingly “savage” origin story that fans are just now learning about.

For decades, fans assumed that “Snoop Dogg” was a self-styled nickname inspired by his smooth West Coast swagger, or maybe a clever nod to his love for laid-back living. But in a recently resurfaced interview clip that’s gone viral across social media, the rapper born Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. finally revealed the real, unfiltered truth about how his mother gave him the name — and why.

“She used to say I looked like Snoopy from Peanuts — that’s it,” Snoop confessed, laughing. “I had these long braids and a long face, and she’d say, ‘Boy, you look just like that dog.’ So ‘Snoopy’ stuck. Then it became ‘Snoop.’ And the rest is history.”

But fans weren’t ready for what came next.

“I asked her once, ‘Why Snoopy though?’ And she said, ‘Because he’s laid back and lazy like you.’”

Cue the internet meltdown.

💬 Fans React: “His Mom ROASTED Him Into a Rap Icon!”

Within hours of the clip circulating on X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Reddit, fans were howling over what they called “the most savage origin story ever”.

“She called him lazy and turned him into a legend. That’s mom-level trolling,” one fan wrote.
“Imagine being roasted into greatness,” joked another.
“Snoop Dogg’s whole empire started because his mom thought he looked like a cartoon dog — I’m never recovering from this.”

🐶 More Than Just a Nickname

Snoop Dogg is famously besties with Martha Stewart

While the nickname started as a playful jab, it quickly evolved into one of the most recognizable names in music. From Doggystyle to Drop It Like It’s Hot, Snoop built an empire around the name — and turned it into a brand synonymous with chill vibes, unshakable cool, and West Coast pride.

“At first I didn’t like it,” Snoop admitted in a past interview. “But eventually, it became who I was. And now? I wear it like a crown.”

He’s since leaned into the persona with a mix of humor and gratitude, even collaborating with Peanuts in past projects and using cartoon dog imagery throughout his career.

👑 From Roast to Royalty

Snoop Dogg with his mom, Beverly Tate (Instagram/@snoopdogg)

Today, Snoop Dogg is more than just a rapper — he’s a pop culture icon, media mogul, cookbook author, entrepreneur, and global brand ambassador. And it all traces back to one very blunt (and very funny) moment with his mom.

“She didn’t mean it to be deep,” Snoop once said. “But sometimes the stuff that sticks is what comes from love — and a little shade.”

From a mom’s savage sense of humor to hip-hop history, the story behind Snoop Dogg’s name proves that greatness can start with a joke — and end with a legend 👇