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Keira Knightley: 'My name is a spelling mistake'

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Keira Knightley has revealed that her name is something of an accident, after her mother made a spelling mistake when registering her birth. The Imitation Game actress said that she was named after Russian ice skater Kiera Ivanova, but her mother got the spelling wrong.

"I was meant to be named 'Kiera' after a Russian ice skater who was on the TV one day," she told Elle magazine. "My dad fancied her and nicked her name for me. But it was my mum who went to register my birth and she accidentally spelled 'ei' instead of 'ie'".

Keira © Photo: Getty Images
Keira Knightley said her name is a spelling mistake

The 29-year-old added that her father exclaimed: "You've spelt her name wrong!" when her mum returned after registering the birth.

"What were they going to do, though? Once it's on the piece of paper, it's on the piece of paper. And that's me. A spelling error," she said.

Keira also discussed her education with the magazine and said she "hated" school because she couldn't wear what she wanted.

Keira1 © Photo: Getty Images
Keira Knightley is expecting her first child with James Righton

"I've always hated the idea that you should be wearing this or that, because it makes me feel like I'm getting everything wrong. I hated it at school, and I don't want it as an adult."

Despite her dislike of school, the actress has gone on to achieve great success and has earned several award nominations including Best Supporting Actress at the Oscars and BAFTAs.

Already, 2015 is proving to be an exciting year for the London-born star. She is also expecting her first child with husband James Righton in the summer.