Since then, he has accumulated 22 Grammy Awards as part of U2 and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Despite his worldwide fame, however, some fans remain oblivious to how he came to be known as Bono. According to reports, Bono was bestowed the nickname Bono Vox during his teenage years.

He and his companions were members of a surrealist street gang called Lypton Village, in which each member was assigned a nickname. After several suggestions were floated, Hewson was christened Bono Vox of O'Connell Street.

A statement on Radio X reads: "Reports suggested it was Bono's friend and collaborator Gavin Friday who originally named him Bono Vox, which he didn't like at first. However, he came to accept it after he was told it came from the Latin word Bonavox, which meant 'good voice'. As confirmed in an article about U2's old haunts on ireland.com, Bona Vox was also the name of a hearing-aid store near where they grew up."

Commenting on this, one Reddit user said: "Today I learnt Bono's name is short for 'Bono Vox', a nickname given by a friend. Bono didn't like the nickname at first, but then he learned it's Latin for 'good voice' and accepted it.

"Now even his close friends and family call him Bono." Another user added: "Paul Hewson doesn't quite roll off the tongue."

Bono, who is due to mark his 66th birthday on May 10, married his childhood sweetheart, Ali Hewson, in 1982 following their first meeting at school. The couple share four children.

Discussing the influence his wife has had on his career, a statement from Smooth Radio reads: "Bono has described his wife as his 'best friend' and 'the love of his life'. He has also credited her for supporting him throughout his musical career and his humanitarian work. Bono and Ali have one of the longest and most stable marriages in the entertainment industry."

Ali Hewson holds a degree in social science, politics and sociology from University College Dublin and has championed numerous causes, including anti-nuclear activism, Chernobyl relief, fair trade, and skincare. She also co-founded two ethical enterprises, EDUN and Nude. Several U2 tracks have been inspired by her, including Sweetest Thing and New Year's Day."