Is Sister Wives' Meri Changing Her Name?

The Story of Meri Brown

Sister Wives star Meri Brown has been a prominent figure on the reality TV show since her introduction as Kody Brown's first wife in September 2010. The show initially revolved around Kody and his three wives, along with their 12 children, as they lived a polygamous lifestyle. Meri and Kody legally tied the knot in April 1990, having met at church when she was 18 years old. Their relationship began with an admiration for Kody's talkative personality, and Meri was convinced that he was her soulmate. The couple welcomed their son, Leon Brown, into the world, and over the years, Meri remained Kody's only legal wife amidst his spiritual unions with other women. However, in 2014, Meri made the decision to divorce Kody to allow him to legally marry his fourth wife, Robyn Brown, and adopt her children. Following this, in 2015, Meri found herself embroiled in a catfishing scandal, which exacerbated the growing distance between her and Kody. Despite attempts at couples therapy, their marriage could not be salvaged, and in January 2023, the couple announced the official termination of their marriage.

Meri Brown from Sister Wives wearing olive green shirt sporting a grumpy expression with photos of her from the reality TV show in faded background

Meri's past and family history also provide valuable insight into her life. Before marrying Kody, Meri's maiden name was Barber, and she was born as Meri Caroline Barber on January 16, 1971, in Alameda, California. Her father, William James Barber Jr., delved into polygamy when she was young, and the family eventually moved to Utah, where her father had multiple wives, resulting in Meri having a large number of siblings. These experiences are detailed in her memoir, 'Becoming Sister Wives: The Story of an Unconventional Marriage,' which sheds light on her upbringing and the unconventional dynamics of her family life.

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The Discovery of Meri's Supposed New Name

The revelation of Meri's potential new last name, 'Davenport,' surfaced when she shared a photo on her Instagram stories in December 2023. The photo featured an ornament gifted to her by her friend Jenn Sullivan, resembling a postcard addressed to Santa Claus. The postcard bore the inscription, 'Please bring me pink & white sparkly countertops with rounded edges. Oh, and a new BFF,' with the name 'Meri Caroline Davenport' etched on it. This sparked speculation among fans, who quickly inferred that Meri may be in the process of officially changing her last name to Davenport.

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The Meaning Behind Meri's 'Davenport' Last Name

The choice of 'Davenport' as a potential new last name for Meri has prompted discussions among fans. A Reddit user, u/pnwqueenk, may have unraveled the significance of this name. Lizzie's Heritage Inn, a historic hotel and resort in Parowan, Utah, holds familial ties to Meri, as it was previously owned by her great-great-grandparents. Notably, the property was purchased by Meri in 2017, and the inn's history includes a 'founding woman' named Sarah Ann Davenport, who was born in England in 1847 and later married Charles Adams in the U.S. This connection suggests that Meri may be choosing to honor her family legacy by adopting the Davenport name, signifying a fresh start and a new identity for herself following her separation from Kody.