Crystal Hefner is dropping Hugh Hefner‘s last name, eight years after his death.
On Thursday, July 17, Crystal filed a legal name change in the Los Angeles Superior Court, Us Weekly reported. The former Playboy Playmate seeks to drop Hefner from her name and return to her maiden name, Crystal Margaret Harris.
“I am a widow and reclaiming my maiden name,” Crystal stated in her filing, according to the outlet.
In June, Crystal expressed her frustration about the struggles of changing her Instagram username back to her maiden name. Hefner’s widow explained that she has been trying for so long to get the social media platform to approve her request, but to no avail.
Crystal Hefner Explains Big Move
GettyAlthough the Hefner name opened many doors for Crystal, she feels it’s time to let it go and fully embrace who she really is. In another interview with Us Weekly, she revealed she’s finally “in the right place” to completely let go of her past.
“Thereâs always been a lot of noise around why I kept the Hefner name,” she told the outlet. “I had so many people assuming it was for attention or clout. But the truth is, it was far more personal and complex than that. Holding onto that name wasnât about fame â it was about survival.”
Crystal also revealed that she thought about changing her name sooner, but she wasn’t emotionally ready yet.
“I had to reclaim me first, and that took time, strength, and a lot of clarity,” she told the outlet. “So no, it wasnât about attention. It was about survival, identity, and eventually, healing.”
As for why now feels like the right time to push through with it, Crystal explained that she’s finally in a place where she feels “rounded, whole, and at peace.”
“Changing my name isnât about erasing the past â itâs about reclaiming my identity,” Crystal added. “Itâs a homecoming. Harris is who I was before the world told me who to be, and itâs who I am now, after coming full circle.”
What’s Next for Crystal?
Crystal’s decision to change her last name comes amid her preparations for her upcoming wedding to fiance James Ward. The couple plans to tie the knot in spring 2026, “somewhere near the ocean.”
Crystal clarified that changing back to her maiden name was not directly because she’s getting married soon. However, she did admit that it “aligns perfectly with this new chapter” they’re entering together.
Interestingly, Crystal maintains she’s keeping her maiden name even after marrying James.
“Iâm keeping my [last] name. Iâm keeping my identity,” she told Us Weekly. “My relationship with James is rooted in mutual love and respect, not tradition for traditionâs sake. I know who I am, and thatâs not changing.”
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