The Girls Aloud beauty - who was left devastated by claims her soccer star husband Ashley cheated on her with several women - was met by a limousine driver holding a sign with her former surname, Tweedy, when she arrived at Los Angeles airport over the weekend.
Friends say it is the clearest indication yet that Cheryl has decided to end her 19-month marriage.
One said: "She's always been proud to have the surname Cole as she thought it showed her dedication and loyalty to Ashley. Now she's changed back to Tweedy, it shows she's keen to regain her status as a single woman."
Last week, Cheryl, 24, held showdown talks with Ashley at their Surrey home where it was believed she had given him one last chance.