The story behind Marinella's stage name

Few know that 'Marinella' was not the great singer's real name, but her stage name, with which she sealed a huge career. Her real name was Kyriaki Papadopoulou.

The writer Giannis Xanthoulis in a television interview referred to the story behind her stage name: 'It was a center in Panorama. She goes there as Kiki Papadopoulou. A smart, cunning owner of the center sees her there, says to her 'what's your name?', 'Kiki Papadopoulou' she replied. 'Is that how we'll introduce you? As Kiki Papadopoulou?'. Tolis Harmas was there at the time. He had become very well known in '55 - '56, with the film 'Laterna, poverty and pride'. At that time, he released a song that said 'and they call her Marinella and she is the first katsivela'. Harmas wrote it and says to her 'well, shouldn't we call you Marinella?' and she says 'well, can't you call me whatever you want?'.