ɪn nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd sˈɪksti fˈoːɹ ʃiː sᵻlˈɛktᵻd ðə stˈeɪdʒ nˈeɪm "ˈʌltɹə vˈaɪəlɪt" æt wˈɔːɹhɑːlz sədʒˈɛstʃən, bɪkˈʌz ɪt wʌz hɜː pɹɪfˈɜːd fˈæʃən — hɜː hˈɛɹ kˈʌlɚɹ æt ðə tˈaɪm wʌz ˈɔfən vˈaɪəlɪt ɔːɹ lˈaɪlək.
In 1964 she selected the stage name "Ultra Violet" at Warhol's suggestion, because it was her preferred fashion — her hair color at the time was often violet or lilac.