Dwyane Wade’s Daughter Zaya Wade Has Been Granted Legal Name & Gender Change

Zaya Wade has legally been granted a name and gender change.

According to court documents, on Feb. 24, a Los Angeles County judge signed off on the petition, first filed by Dwyane Wade in August 2022. The 15-year-old is now legally recognized as female and her name was changed from Zion Malachi Airamis Wade to Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade.

Back in 2020, the former NBA player recalled his daughter coming out as trans. “Our (then) 12-year-old came home ... and said, “Hey, I want to talk to you guys. I think going forward I’m ready to live my truth and I want to be referenced as she and her and I would love for you guys to call me Zaya,” Wade said.

Wade also noted that at the time the family was, "trying to figure out as much information as we can to make sure that we give our child the best opportunity to be her best self.”

Over the weekend at the NAACP Image Awards, Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union accepted the President’s Award. The two gave a moving acceptance speech. “I want to take this moment to publicly speak to our daughter Zaya,” the former NBA star said. “Zaya, as your father, all I’ve wanted to do was get it right. I’ve sat back and watched how gracefully you’ve taken on the public scrutiny. And even though it’s not easy, I watched you walk out of that house every morning as yourself. I admire how you’ve handled the ignorance in our world.”

Watch the full speech below.