What is the birth name of Bono, lead singer for the Irish rock band U2?

Paul David Hewson was born on May 10, 1960, in Dublin, Ireland. In his youth, Hewson was in a street gang that was fascinated with surrealism. The gang members gave each other nicknames. His pals gave Hewson several nicknames before settling on "Bono", from “Bonavox”, Latin for “good voice”.

Bono and fellow Mount Temple Comprehensive School students formed U-2 in 1976. Bono writes most of the group’s songs and is its main lead vocalist. His songs often have religious overtones and include Christian imagery. Many focus on political and social themes, and a few resulted from the loss of his mother. Bono is a philanthropist and social justice activist. He is married to Alison Stewart Hewson, an activist and businesswoman. They have four children.

Bono received an honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II for his humanitarianism as well as his music. The University of Pennsylvania gave him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. France awarded him the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (in English, the “Order of Arts and Letters”). “Time” magazine named him one of its “Persons of the Year” in 2005, the same year U2 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Bono often wears sunglasses to avoid problems associated with his glaucoma. He also has admitted that he wears them to satisfy his vanity and for the sake of privacy.