Doechii Decoded: Unraveling the True Meaning Behind the Artist's Name

The Breakdown: Doechii's name carries deep personal meaning, symbolizing her journey of self-discovery, resilience, and confidence. From overcoming bullying to reclaiming her identity, she has channeled her experiences into her music, making a bold impact on the industry. Her authenticity and dedication have earned her recognition, including a historic Grammy win for Best Rap Album.

Doechii is far from an overnight success. Although it may seem like she just popped up on the scene, that is far from the truth. Doechii began her musical career in 2015 and released her first single on SoundCloud in 2016.

Throughout her career, she has been open about her struggles with depression, bullying, and feeling misunderstood. In the process of discovering herself, Doechii created her name to embody the person she was becoming — a confident, authentic Black woman. Let’s explore the meaning behind Doechii’s name and how she arrived at this unique identity.

Doechii’s real name is Jaylah Ji'mya Hickmon. In sixth grade, she adopted her stage name after being constantly bullied and wanting to reinvent herself. In the past, she felt misunderstood. You know how it is growing up — if you don’t fit in, you get called out, and kids can be cruel.

At one point, the bullying was so severe that Doechii struggled with thoughts of ending her own life.

In an interview with The Cut, Doechii said: “I realized, ‘Oh, f**k, I’m gonna kill myself, and then I’m gonna be the only one dead. The bullies aren’t gonna be with me, and everything they said is not coming with me either. I would just be gone,’” she said.

However, she decided to look inward and reclaim her identity. She reflected on what she truly wanted in life — to stand tall, be confident, and fully embrace who she was meant to be.

Doechii’s transparency is truly admirable. After being fired from her job in 2020, she posted a video on YouTube saying, “Either way, I’m gonna be straight, and then tomorrow I’m just gonna go to a bunch of studios and ask if they have any internships open.”

Instead of letting the setback discourage her, it became the push she needed to fully focus on her music career and take it to the next level. This motivated her to spend more time in recording studios and fully commit to her craft.

Doechii channeled her experiences and talents into her music, and in 2020, she went viral on TikTok with "Yucky Blucky Fruitcake." Her bold presence, storytelling in her visuals, and versatility in both rap and R&B set her apart. Doechii is far from a one-size-fits-all artist. In 2022, she signed with Top Dawg Entertainment, solidifying her place in the industry.

In 2022, Doechii released her EP, she/her/black b***h. Following that, she was featured on Isaiah Rashad’s single, “Wat U Sed.” Her momentum carried into 2023 and 2024 with the release of Alligator Bites Never Heal, which led to her winning her first Grammy for Best Rap Album. She became only the third woman to ever receive this award, joining Lauryn Hill and Cardi B.

We are so lucky to have Doechii as a reminder that anything is possible. The meaning behind her name is a true reflection of what it means to invest in yourself and not let anyone or anything stand in the way of who you are. Doechii is unapologetically herself in every sense of the word. Fortunately for us, we’ve had the privilege of witnessing her journey firsthand as she hustled and stayed authentic with her fans.