Screenshot: Nikki Haley – YouTube

What is the birth name of Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina and a notable figure in the 2024 Republican primary?

Nikki Haley, known for her political insight and as a key player in the 2024 Republican primary, was born in Bamberg, South Carolina, as Nimarata Nikki Randhawa. Her birth name became a focal point in the 2024 primaries when Donald Trump, her rival and former US President, put it in the spotlight. In January 2024, Trump made headlines (and raised eyebrows) by mockingly mispronouncing her birth name on his social media platform, Truth Social, referring to her as “Nimbra” and “Nimrada.” This move was part of Trump’s larger strategy of using racially charged rhetoric against his political opponents, a tactic he’s been known for throughout his political career. Nikki Haley, embracing her middle name ‘Nikki’ and the surname ‘Haley’ from her marriage in 1996, has stood firm against such tactics.