Why Jobe Bellingham will use first name on back of his England shirt

England newcomer Jobe Bellingham has previously addressed his decision to wear 'Jobe' rather than 'Bellingham' on the back of his shirt for club and country.

Bellingham earned his first senior England call-up on Friday (November 6) after being named in Thomas Tuchel's squad for their upcoming Nations League fixtures against Croatia and Spain.

The 21-year-old, who has been one of Borussia Dortmund's standout performers this season, has been called up by Tuchel following a shortage of central midfielders.

"We have a slight issue in central midfield as Alex Scott is not ready, Myles [Lewis-Skelly], who played in all four matches, picked up a yellow card and is suspended for the Croatia match, so that leaves us short," Tuchel said.

"Lee Carsley is talking highly of Jobe in these weeks and months, so there's an opportunity to join and learn in the first-team. He's in a good run of form for Borussia Dortmund."

READ MORE: England Nations League squad announced as Thomas Tuchel leaves out two big names

Why Jobe Bellingham uses 'Jobe' on the back of his shirt

Bellingham began wearing 'Jobe' instead of 'Bellingham' on the back of his shirt in the summer of 2023, following his £3 million move from boyhood club Birmingham City to Sunderland.

The midfielder has previously explained that a coach who had worked with him at Birmingham and Sunderland suggested the idea.

“When I signed for Sunderland, it was suggested to me by someone, a special coach I had there who I also had in Birmingham," he told Borussia Dortmund's official website in June 2025.

"I was still young and thought it was cool to have my own name on the back. It didn’t have any deeper meaning – but it’s become something unique. It shows that I’m going my own way.

"Some people don’t like it – I don’t care. You can’t follow your goal and listen to everyone at the same time. I only listen to people who know what they’re talking about – not internet critics who just spout nonsense.

"I just try to get better every day. And my name on my shirt is part of that.”

Bellingham has impressed under Lee Carsley at under-21 level. Image credit: Getty

A year earlier, former Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray suggested that Jobe was determined to forge his own identity.

“I think he’s trying to create his own identity,” Mowbray said at the time. “He doesn’t want to live off the back of his brother’s name; he wants to be the footballer that he is and show people what he can do.”

Jude Bellingham could be about to fulfil his 'biggest dream' after Jobe's England call-up

Jobe's call-up to the England senior side is a big moment for Jude Bellingham, his older brother who plays for Real Madrid.

Speaking on his YouTube channel in 2024, the 23-year-old revealed that playing alongside his sibling for the England national team would be a dream come true.

"Because we’re a similar age and we’ve played together for so long in the street and on the tufts of grass, to play with my brother for England, that would be the biggest dream of my life,” he said.

“That would mean more than any of the trophies. Especially if we managed to do it on a consistent basis and play at a major tournament together and win things together. Honestly, nothing would even get close to that. Nothing.”