Bob Marley’s middle name was Nesta, making his full birth name Robert Nesta Marley.
Marley was born on 6 February 1945 in Nine Mile, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica. His father was Norval Sinclair Marley, and his mother was Cedella Booker. Although he became internationally known simply as Bob Marley, biographical records consistently use the full name Robert Nesta Marley.
A common mix-up is assuming “Nesta” was a stage name adopted after Marley became famous. It was part of his registered name from birth. Marley later became closely associated with Rastafari, Jamaica, reggae and the Wailers, but his middle name is a personal biographical detail rather than a musical pseudonym. His son David was widely known as Ziggy Marley, which sometimes causes confusion when people compare family members’ formal and performing names.