Hispanic stand-up comic Carlos Mencia’s real name is Ned. Yes, Ned.

But he said it wasn’t his idea. A comedy club owner in the late 1980s gave the star of Comedy Central’s “Mind of Mencia” the name Carlos early in his career because she thought nobody would believe he’s Latino with a name like Ned.

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Carlos Mencia is happy to accommodate fans who want photos because he understands that ‘it’s just 30 seconds out of my life, but for them, it’s something they’ll remember.’

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CONCERT PREVIEW
Carlos Mencia. 7 p.m. Sept. 6. $46.75. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. 404-249-6400, www.ticketmaster.com.

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“Everyone who knows me calls me Ned,” he said. “I’m totally OK with Ned. Wouldn’t it be ironic if I was able to go back to Ned professionally? The name is so white I used to get my [rear end] beat during roll call when I was a kid.”

Mencia spoke with us about his TV show, his fans and his reputation before his gig Saturday at the Fox Theatre.

How did the most recent season of “Mind of Mencia” go?

I only did 10 episodes this year. This season was very, very fun to do. Artistically, I had an amazing time. I wasn’t really a big fan of what they did last year splitting up the season into two. So much of it was pretaped. It just didn’t feel spontaneous. This year, we taped a week out or so. We got to say something … biting, something someone else hadn’t already said.

So is a fifth season coming?

I’m not sure. The challenge is I feel like I have to reinvent the show. I’m trying to figure out how to accomplish that. It’s hard to do so when they repeat the show so many times. I can’t escape the shadow of myself on Comedy Central.

You’re not going to pull a Dave Chappelle and skip out?

Nahh … if I choose to move on, I’m not going to run away. I do get why he did it. But I have a family. I have a father who came here as an immigrant who busted his [rear end] and broke his leg working at a factory. He lost his thumb in an accident. He went to work the next day. That’s how I am. He inspires me to work. And when I’m on tour, I only have to do work an hour a day.

How do you deal with fans?

When someone comes up to me and asks for my picture, they look nervous. I put my arm over their shoulder. They put their arm around me and hug. I can feel their heart beating fast. It’s real to them. What I realize [is], look at me! I’m Ned. I’m a guy who [passes gas] in public, who picks his nose. I’m that idiot. I’m not this guy, this celebrity. But I understand for them, I am the man. It’s just 30 seconds out of my life, but for them, it’s something they’ll remember. It’s their moment.

Some comics have gone after you for stealing jokes. How do you feel about that?

It hurts me because I care so much about the comedy. You don’t see me in meetings saying, “I’ve seen that. Don’t use that.” I’m the one doing that.