The spelling of Scottie Pippen’s name has always sparked curiosity. Was it a mistake or a stylistic choice? Or just something that stuck over time? Now, his son Scotty Pippen Jr. has cleared the air, with the reason being oddly simple.
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During a recent appearance on Run It Back, Scotty Pippen Jr. was asked to detail why the Chicago Bulls star chose to end his name with ‘ie’ while his son’s name ends with a ‘y’. According to Pippen Jr., his dad was born Scotty with a ‘y’.
Scotty Maurice Pippen Sr. is his birth name. But as Pippen’s NBA career took off and the autograph lines got longer, he made a change. He started signing ‘Scottie’ because it was easier to write while signing hundreds, sometimes thousands, of autographs.
“I guess he just started signing signatures with ‘ie’ because it was easier to write it that way. And then, for some reason, I just became [Scotty] with a ‘y’,” Pippen Jr. said.
Practically, signing Scotty with a ‘y’ would’ve been easier because there’d be fewer letters. Only the Bulls legend knows why he changed his name.
The greatest off-ball move Scottie Pippen ever made? Changing his own name to make his signature quicker ✍️ pic.twitter.com/NB7GdWsZF4
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) July 16, 2025
Pippen Jr., who plays with the Grizzlies and is trying to make his mark in the league, said he sometimes wishes his name were spelled with an ‘ie’. It would’ve made things simpler.
“I feel like I should’ve been with ‘ie’ to make it simpler… When I was younger, I probably should’ve gone with ‘ie’ just to switch it so it was the same,” said Pippen Jr., who also admitted that carrying the same name as an all-time great naturally comes with added pressure.
Fans and media constantly compare him to a six-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer. That said, the 24-year-old has a very different outlook on it.
Pippen Jr. doesn’t feel the pressure of being Scottie’s son
When you’re the son of one of the all-time greats of the game, the comparisons are inevitable. We are seeing it with Bronny and LeBron James, Kiyan and Carmelo Anthony, and more. Pippen Jr. is in the same boat, but his journey is a little different because he also shares his father’s name.
During a conversation with HoopsHype, the 24-year-old was asked if it’s tough to live under the weight of his name.
“No, I don’t think so. I feel like I felt more pressure when I was in high school, like younger, just because people only associated me as being his son, but I feel like I’m kind of carving my own path,” said Pippen Jr., who is adamant about making his own legacy.
Over the last few years, Pippen Jr. has done well. While carving his own path is important for him, he feels blessed to have the presence of Scottie, who can give him invaluable advice after every game.
