Comedian David Adkins used the professional stage name Sinbad.
Adkins adopted the name while serving in the United States Air Force. He chose “Sinbad” because he admired the adventurous fictional sailor Sinbad, a character associated with the Arabian Nights stories. The name helped distinguish his public comedy persona from his birth name.
Sinbad became widely known through stand-up comedy and television. He appeared on Star Search in the 1980s and later became a regular cast member on The Redd Foxx Show. He also hosted the television program It's Showtime at the Apollo and starred in the sitcom The Sinbad Show.
The comedian is sometimes confused with fictional versions of Sinbad or with other entertainers who use nautical or adventure-themed names. His legal name is David Adkins, while Sinbad is the name used throughout his entertainment career.