Israeli media reports have revealed that Yair Netanyahu, the eldest son of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has legally changed his name to Yonatan Hon, according to official tax documents recently submitted to Israeli authorities.
According to the newspaper Haaretz, tax filings for 2026 were registered under the new name while retaining the same identification number and residential address that appeared in previous filings submitted under his original name in 2024.
Under Israeli law, a legal name change cannot generally be reversed for a period of seven years, making the move a significant and formal decision.
Motives Remain Unclear
The reasons behind the name change have not been publicly disclosed. It remains uncertain whether the 34-year-old intends to adopt the new identity publicly or whether the change was made for personal or administrative reasons.
Notably, Yair Netanyahu continues to use his original name on social media platforms, where he remains active as a political commentator and podcast host.
The new name appears to combine Yonatan, in tribute to his late uncle Yonatan “Yoni” Netanyahu, a celebrated Israeli military commander, with Hon, the original family surname of his maternal grandfather.
Longtime Use of the Surname
Yair, who has lived in Florida for several years and is known for his outspoken right-wing views, has reportedly used “Hon” as an alias on some social media platforms in the past. However, observers note that the timing of its official adoption remains unexplained.
He has frequently attracted attention for controversial online statements and for his connections with several conservative and right-wing political figures in Europe and the United States.
Not the First Name Change in the Netanyahu Family
The move is not unprecedented within the Netanyahu family. Previous property records in London indicated that Avner Netanyahu, another son of the Israeli prime minister, purchased a property using the legal name Avi Segal, derived from his paternal grandmother’s maiden name.
Avner later stated that the name change was motivated by security concerns while studying in the United Kingdom.
Benjamin Netanyahu himself also adopted an alternative name during his studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the 1970s, using the name Benjamin Ben Nitai, a decision he later said was intended to make his name easier for Americans to pronounce.
The latest development has sparked speculation in Israeli media, although neither Yair Netanyahu nor the Prime Minister’s Office has publicly commented on the reasons behind the legal name change.
