Many People Call it Elizbeth Tower It has a massive bell inside called Big Ben that weighs more than 13 tons. In 2012, the British Government renamed it the Elizabeth Tower to honor the Queen. No one knows why people call this tower Big Ben. We have already mentioned the two theories about it.

To most locals in 2026, the iconic structure is still affectionately and universally called "Big Ben." However, those with a penchant for accuracy or who work within the Palace of Westminster call the structure itself the Elizabeth Tower. The tower was officially renamed in 2012 to honor Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee; prior to that, its official name was simply the Clock Tower. Strictly speaking, "Big Ben" refers only to the 13.7-tonne Great Bell housed inside the tower, not the clock or the tower itself. Despite this distinction, you will find that Londoners and tourists alike use the nickname as a shorthand for the entire landmark. Occasionally, you might hear older residents or purists refer to the "Great Bell," but in common parlance, if you ask for directions to Big Ben, every local will know exactly which Gothic Revival masterpiece you are looking for at the north end of Parliament.