12 Things You Didn't Know About Zooey Deschanel

11. She's Named After A Book Character

Deschanel's grandfather on her father's side was French, explaining the history behind her second name, though her first also has a story to tell. She was asked about the origins of her unusual name, and stated that she was named after J.D. Salinger's 1961 novel, Franny And Zooey, with her namesake character actually being a male. And it has since been confirmed that the unquestionable pronunciation of her name is in fact 'zoh-ee', rather than any other strange attempt people may try to conjure up.