Learn about the Interesting Story behind Jennifer Lopez's Iconic Nickname

After decades of fans' questioning the origin of Jennifer Lopez's nickname, the singer/ actress has finally disclosed the story behind it all.

For decades fans and friends have been referring to actress, dancer, and pop diva Jennifer Lopez as J Lo, but she has never discussed the origins of the nickname.

Now the "Jenny from the Block" singer has finally opened up and revealed the origins of her iconic nickname, and who gave it to her during a conversation with Derek Hough and Ne-Yo on NBC's "World of Dance."

It must be fate because Lopez's nickname gels perfectly with her fiancée's, former pro baseball star Alex Rodriguez, who is known to fans as A-Rod

DISCUSSING NICKNAMES

The unexpected revelation came about after Lopez asked fellow judge Ne-Yo how his own nickname had come about and he revealed a friend had labeled him as "the Neo of songwriting," indicating he was as fast as the iconic character Neo from "The Matrix" franchise, portrayed by Keanu Reeves.

Lopez revealed to Hough and Ne-Yo that her own nickname had been given to her in 1999 by the now-deceased rapper and producer Heavy D, who met her at a recording studio at the time she was dating Sean "Diddy" Combs, who was then known as Puff Daddy.

JENNY LO TO J LO

Heavy D started referring to the couple as Puffy and Jenny Lo, and then "Jenny Lo" became "J Lo," the nickname stuck -- especially as Lopez used it as a title to her second studio album which was released in January 2001. The album was a success and debuted as #1 on the Billboard 200.

After the album's stupendous success, "J Lo" went from being a title to the universally adopted nickname her millions of adoring fans used to refer to their icon. The press quickly picked up on it, and today, 20 years later, Lopez's moniker is interchangeable with her name.

J LO AND A-ROD

It must be fate because Lopez's nickname gels perfectly with her fiancée's, former pro baseball star Alex Rodriguez, who is known to fans as A-Rod. J Lo and A-Rod started dating in February 2017, and are now one of the most-watched and admired power couples in the world.

A-Rod and J Lo became engaged in March 2019, but they have had to put off their wedding plans due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Rodriguez shares two daughters, Natasha, 15, and Ella, 12, with ex-wife Cynthia Scurtis; while Lopez shares twins Emme and Max, also 12, with ex-husband singer Marc Anthony.

J Lo and A-Rod are a famously united blended family, attending school events for the twins with Anthony; and both of Rodriguez's girls are adoring fans of the inimitable Jennifer Lopez.