Gabourey Sidibe is setting the record straight — and doing it with her signature humor.

In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, the actress and director opened up about something fans have been getting wrong for years: the pronunciation of her name. Sidibe, best known for her breakout role in Precious and later work on American Horror Story, explained that while many people try their best, her name is often mispronounced.

During the conversation, ET reporter Nischelle Turner asked Sidibe directly how to properly say her last name, since many fans have long debated between different versions. Sidibe laughed before revealing the correct pronunciation: “Si-dee-bay.” She explained that her last name has Senegalese origins and includes accents that she doesn’t typically use when introducing herself in the United States. Over time, she’s learned to adjust it slightly for Americans.

Sidibe admitted she often goes with a simplified version because it’s easier for people to remember. She even joked that Americans prefer names that rhyme, so she’ll sometimes describe it as “Sidi-bay, like city by the bay,” just to make things smoother.

But she didn’t stop there. Sidibe also addressed the way people pronounce her first name. Many assume it’s “Gab-uh-ray,” but she revealed that the more accurate pronunciation is “Gah-boo-ray.” Still, she said she doesn’t mind when people use the more familiar version, as long as it isn’t completely mangled.

In fact, Sidibe said she’d rather someone call her by a nickname she actually likes — including Gabby — instead of hearing a version of her name that feels totally butchered. Her approach was relaxed and lighthearted, making it clear she’s not offended, just amused that so many people have been saying it incorrectly.

Beyond the name lesson, Sidibe also shared a glimpse into her life at home as a mom. She and her husband, Brandon Frankel, are raising their 21-month-old twins, Cooper and Maya, and Sidibe described the toddlers as both entertaining and surprisingly advanced.

She said her children are already extremely talkative, noting that doctors told her they were speaking at a level well beyond their age. According to Sidibe, the twins were speaking like 2-year-olds when they were only 15 months old, and their vocabulary has only grown since then. She joked that having advanced kids sounds exciting — until they start talking back.

Sidibe also highlighted how different her twins’ personalities are, despite both being strong communicators. She described her daughter Maya as having a personality similar to her own, while her son Cooper takes after his father. Cooper, she said, is affectionate and always looking for hugs, while Maya is a bit more independent and less eager to show constant affection.

Sidibe also spoke warmly about her husband, calling him her soulmate and praising how devoted he is as a father. She shared that Frankel once told her he wanted a “little her” so he could raise her the right way — and now, she joked, he got exactly that with Maya.

Between correcting the world on her name and sharing her joy as a mom, Sidibe’s message was clear: she’s embracing life, laughter, and family — on her own terms.