In Creed, Adonis Creed’s birth surname is Johnson before he uses his father’s name.
Adonis is born Adonis Johnson, the son of world heavyweight champion Apollo Creed and an earlier partner. Apollo dies before Adonis is born, so Adonis grows up without knowing his father personally. He later adopts the surname Creed to pursue boxing and acknowledge Apollo’s legacy.
Mary Anne Creed, Apollo’s widow, takes Adonis into her home and raises him. Despite receiving financial security and opportunities, Adonis feels compelled to establish himself in the boxing world on his own terms.
The name change is central to the film’s identity theme. Adonis must decide whether the Creed name is a burden, an advantage, or a responsibility. Rocky Balboa becomes his trainer and helps connect him with Apollo’s boxing history.