What name did MTV give its Video Music Awards trophy in 2016?

MTV renamed its Video Music Awards trophy the “Moon Person” in 2016.

The trophy depicts an astronaut standing on the Moon while holding an MTV flag. It was designed by Manhattan Design, the firm associated with MTV’s original logo, and was created for the first Video Music Awards in 1984. For decades, viewers and the network commonly called the figure the “Moonman.”

In 2016, MTV adopted the gender-neutral name “Moon Person.” The change reflected a broader effort to use more inclusive language for the award while retaining the trophy’s familiar design. The trophy itself remained closely associated with MTV’s visual identity and the annual ceremony’s celebration of music videos.

The name should not be confused with the “Video Vanguard Award,” which is a separate VMA honor recognizing major contributions to music video art. The physical Moon Person is the standard trophy presented in competitive VMA categories.