Whoopi Goldberg was born Caryn Elaine Johnson in New York City on November 13, 1955. Her mother, Emma (Harris), was a teacher and a nurse, and her father, Robert James Johnson Jr., was a clergyman. Whoopi's recent ancestors were from Georgia, Florida, and Virginia. She has stated that the name Whoopi was taken from a nickname her mother gave her when she was a baby (whoopee).