You’ll Be Surprised To Find Out The Real Names Of These Celebritie

Most celebrities have nice-sounding names that are very appealing to the ears. Take, for example, Demi Moore, Olivia Wilde, Meg Ryan, Alicia Keys, and many others. They often take on a stage name as their real name may sound dull, unappealing, unattractive, or projects an undesired image to the general audience. Sometimes, the names are hard to spell or pronounce or are already being used by someone notable. At times, celebrities adopt names to attract attention or conceal their real identity. Whatever the reason may be, it sure serves its purpose.

However, it begs the question of which name would they use or prefer in a private setting? This would create a degree of confusion among fans, especially those who don’t know the star’s real name. For instance, Lady Gaga’s legal name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta. Yet, when the cast and crew talk about her performance in American Horror Story, they would call her Stefani. Let’s go take a look at some other celebrities who use a stage name.

Alicia Keys

American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys, born Alicia Augello Cook, began composing songs and was a classically trained pianist at age 12. At age 15, she signed with Columbia Records and later with Arista Records. Later on, Keys released her debut album Songs in A Minor in 2001 with J Records. It was a commercially successful album that gained critical acclaim and produced her first Billboard Hot 100 number-one single, Fallin’. It sold over 12 million copies globally, and Keys received five Grammy Awards in 2002.

The following year, the award-winning artist released her second album, The Diary of Alicia Keys, which was also critically acclaimed and commercially successful to an even greater degree. With chart-topping singles such as If I Ain’t Got You, Diary, and You Don’t Know My Name, it sold over eight million copies worldwide and added four Grammy Awards to Keys’ collection of accolades.

Blac Chyna

Angela Renee White, or better known as Blac Chyna, gained prominence after performing as a stunt double for Nicki Minaj in the music video of the song Monster by Kanye West in 2010. She attained wider media attention after getting name-dropped by Drake in the song Miss Me that same year, which lead to her several magazine appearances that included a piece in Dimepiece, Black Men’s Magazine, and Straight Stuntin. In the following years, Chyna ventured into business investments, such as a makeup line called Lashed by Black Chyna and a beauty salon in Encino, Los Angeles.

Since then, the American socialite, model, and entrepreneur has made numerous media appearances and an eventual reality television show of her own, The Real Blac Chyna and Rob & Chyna. Other television shows that she appeared in included Keeping Up with the Kardashians on E!, Tokyo Toni’s Finding Love ASAP! on Zeus network, and Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood on VH1 network.

Blake Lively

American actress Blake Ellender Lively made her acting debut at age 10 in her father’s directorial film, Sandman, in 1998. His father, Ernie Lively, was an actor, acting coach, and director. In her childhood, she would accompany her parents to the acting classes they taught, as her parents didn’t want to leave her with a babysitter. As she began to work in the industry, Lively credits her parents in those moments as it helped her learn the drills and gain confidence along the way.

While in Burbank High School, her elder brother asked his talent agent to send her to a few auditions in the summer months. Eventually, Lively landed a role in the 2005 comedy-drama The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, which she filmed in between her junior and senior years in high school. Although she initially wanted to attend Stanford University, she subsequently pursued her acting career and achieved huge success over the years.

Bruno Mars

Widely recognized for his retro showmanship and stage performances in a variety of musical styles such as pop, funk, hip hop, reggae, rock, and R&B, Bruno Mars, born Peter Gene Hernandez, is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with over 130 million records sold globally. Early on in his career, the multi-talented singer moved to Los Angeles from Honolulu, Hawaii, in 2003 to pursue his musical passion. He then ventured into business investments by co-founding a production team called The Smeesingtons in 2009, with their production and writing services being increasingly in demand since then.

In 2010, Mars attained international fame after the success of his singles Billionaire and Nothin’ On You. His debut studio album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans, produced chart-topping international singles like Grenade, The Lazy Song, and Just The Way You Are, all of which blended pop with reggae and R&B and showcased his prolific vocal range. Since then, Mars has achieved great success in his field of profession.

Calvin Harris

Adam Richard Wiles, better known as Calvin Harris, is a Scottish record producer, DJ, songwriter, and singer who became the first solo artist in the UK to reach more than one billion streams on Spotify. He gained international recognition after releasing his third album18 Months in 2012, which included various vocalists in its singles. In total, the DJ has released five studio albums, and apart from his music recordings, he also ventured into other investments, like his record label Fly Eye Records that he founded in 2010.

As his career flourished, Harris received multiple accolades and awards, including the British Producer of the Year, Ivor Novello Award, and named Top Dance/Electronic Artist in 2015 at the Billboard Music Awards, among many others. Some of his successful hits in collaboration with other artists include One Kiss with Dua Lipa, Bounce with Kelis, and Blame with vocalist John Newman. Harris is also a philanthropist, performing in charity concerts, with proceeds given to several institutions like Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles.

Camila Cabello

Best known as a member of the girl group Fifth Harmony, which was formed on the reality music competition The X Factor USA in 2012, Karla Camila Cabello Estrabao, professionally known as Camila Cabello, established herself as a solo artist by releasing collaboration songs. Her hits include Bad Things with Machine Gun Kelly and I Know What You Did Last Summer with Shawn Mendes, with the former reaching the number four on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US.

In 2018, her debut studio album, Camila, reached Billboard’s 200 chart top spot. It received multiple accolades and credits, including a Platinum certification by the Recording Association of America and the lead single Havana topping the charts in several countries, including the US and UK. For her success, Cabello earned multiple awards and recognitions, including a Billboard Music Award, two Latin Grammy Awards, five MTV Europe Music Awards, and four American Music Awards, among many others.

Chace Crawford

Christopher Chace Crawford is known as Nate Archibald on the teen drama series Gossip Girl on The CW network. The actor has also appeared in several films that gained him wider recognition, such as The Covenant, TWhat To Expect When You’re Expecting, The Haunting of Molly Hartley, and Twelve.

In his high school years, Crawford modeled for the retail brand Hollister, owned by the American retail company Abercrombie & Fitch, where he also worked. After studying marketing and broadcast journalist at Pepperdine University for some time, he opted not to finish his degree and instead pursue his acting career, all the while working as a car valet to make ends meet. Soon enough, Crawford began to build his career in the entertainment industry, landing starring roles in several films and television shows over the years. His most recent project is the upcoming film titled Riptide, which is in its post-production phase. For his performances in past projects, he has won five Teen Choice Awards and two People’s Choice Awards.

Dove Cameron

American singer and actress Dove Olivia Cameron is best known for playing the dual role in Disney Channel’s comedy series Liv and Maddie, where she received credits like the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in Children’s Programming. She also starred in the musical fantasy Descendants, in which she portrayed the character of Mal. As a singer, she made her debut with the soundtrack album Liv and Maddie in 2015, while also releasing her debut single If Only for Descendants.

In 2007, Cameron was included in the cast of Bainbridge Performing Arts stage production of Les Miserables, where she portrayed the character of Young Cosette. In the coming years since then, she has starred in numerous television shows and several big-screen films, winning a Kid’s Choice Award and Daytime Emmy Award in the process. Presently, she has an upcoming television show titled Powerpuff, where she will portray the main character Bubbles.

Drake

Drake is one of the prominent figures in popular music, known for hyping the Toronto sound. Born Aubrey Drake Graham, the Canadian rapper, producer, actor, singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur gained an initial degree of fame after he starred on the television teen drama Degrassi: The Next Generation. As he wanted to pursue a career in music, he left the series in 2006 and released his debut mixtape, Room for Improvement, followed by a second one entitled Comeback Season the following year. After releasing So Far Gone in 2009, he signed with Young Money Entertainment, which was founded by Lil Wayne.

In 2010, Drake released his number-one US Billboard 200 debut studio album, Thank Me Later, and achieved considerable success with his second studio album, Take Care, in 2011. Two years later, he attained commercial triumph for his third album, Nothing Was The Same. Throughout his career, the rapper-actor reached the pinnacle of success in his career, winning numerous awards and accolades such as the Rap Recording of the Year, a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album, and MTV Video Music Award, to mention a few.

Fergie

Stacy Ann Ferguson, better known by the mononym Fergie, initially achieved chart-topping success as part of the hip hop group Black Eyed Peas. In 2006, she released her debut solo album, The Dutchess, which gained commercial success globally with the singles Glamorous, London Bridge, and Big Girls Don’t Cry. Early on in her career, Fergie was originally a member of the girl group Wild Orchid and part of the cast of the children’s television series Kids Incorporated. In 2001, she left the group to join the Black Eyed Peas. Fergie made two albums with the group before pursuing her solo career.

After she started her solo venture, the singer continued to work with the Black Eyed Peas. The group released two albums, The E.N.D. and The Beginning, which spawned massive hits. Besides her singing profession, Fergie also starred in a number of films, including Grindhouse, Poseidon, and Nine. Throughout her career, she achieved a great degree of success in the entertainment industry.

Gigi Hadid

Jelena Noura Hadid, also known as Gigi Hadid, has been modeling since childhood after she was discovered by the Guess clothing co-founder, Paul Marciano. Subsequently, she started modeling for Baby Guess but had to stop for her studies. In 2011, Hadid eventually returned to modeling and resumed worked with Marciano. The following year, she was named the face of a Guess campaign. As an adult, Hadid has appeared in three campaigns for Guess.

In 2013, the model then signed with IMG models and made her New York Fashion Week debut in February 2014, walking for Desigual’s show. Since then, Hadid has modeled for numerous big fashion brands, such as Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, and Versace, among many others. She also became a global ambassador for Tommy Hilfiger, Maybelline, and Reebok. In 2016, Hadid won the credit of International Model of the Year at the British Fashion Awards, which was presented by Donatella Versace.

Iggy Azalea

Australian model, singer, songwriter, and rapper Iggy Azalea moved to America from her home country to pursue a career in music. Born Amethyst Amelia Kelly, she earned recognition after the release of her music video for Two Times on YouTube, which gained rapid popularity. As a result, Azalea signed with the American rapper T.I.’s label, Grand Hustle and released her debut mixtape Ignorant Art in 2011.

In 2014, she released her debut studio album titled The New Classic, which peaked among the top five on several charts globally. Eventually, the album reached the number one spot of the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, which made Azalea the first non-American female rapper to reach the top of the chart. As she attained a tremendous degree of success, the Australian rapper received several awards such as the People’s Choice Award, two American Music Awards, four Teen Choice Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, four Grammy Award nominations, and three Billboard Music Awards.

Jacob Sartorius

Jacob Sartorius rose to prominence through the social media platforms TikTok and Musical.ly, where he posted lip-syncing videos. Subsequently, he signed with T3 Music Group and released his debut single Sweatshirt in 2016, which reached number 90 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US and number 81 on the Canadian Hot 100. That same year, he became the ninth most-searched musical artist.

In the following months, Sartorius released two more singles, All My Friends and Hit or Miss, with the latter debuting at number 72 in the US. To date, it remains his highest chart-topping single. Sartorius then had a solo mini-tour in six cities for the All My Friends Tour. After three months, he announced The Last Text World Tour, in which he would perform in several countries, in support of his debut EP, The Last Text. Throughout his career, Sartorius won credits such as a Teen Choice Award, a Shorty Award, a Kid’s Choice Award, and a Radio Disney Music Award.

Jay-Z

Cited as one of the greatest rappers of all time, Shawn Corey Carter, or Jay-Z, started his musical career following the founding of his record label, Roc-A-Fella Records, in 1995. It was one of his biggest business investments. The American record executive subsequently released his debut studio album Reasonable Doubt the following year, which gained huge success that solidified his standing in the music industry. From then on up to 2018, Jay-Z released twelve albums, including The Blueprint, The Black Album, American Gangster, and 4:44.

Apart from his music career, the rapper also achieved huge success as an entrepreneur after he founded the clothing brand Rocawear in 1999. Years later, he launched the luxury sports bar chain 40/40 Club. Both businesses have grown into multi-million corporations. Another venture he has is the entertainment start-up company Roc Nation in 2008 and the media streaming service Tidal, after he acquired the tech company Aspiro in 2015.

John Legend

John Legend has been making his audience swoon with his voice and songs, but how much about him do you really know? For starters, his real name is John Roger Stephens, so yes, many are shocked about this news. But the origin of his stage name is quite fun to say the least. It appears that his friend, J.Ivy, who is a spoken-word artist, started calling him Legend because his songs reminded him of old school soul legends. To his credit, it was Kanye West who wrote John Legend on John’s mixtape, so he went with it.

Legend knows that this was already a bold claim for someone who has yet to make a name for himself. For the singer, he hoped that he would be able to live up to the stage name that he chose for himself. Based on his chart-topping songs and albums, it seems that he has already succeeded in becoming a legend in the music industry.

JoJo Siwa

Joelle Joanie Siwa, or JoJo Siwa, is hard to miss these days. The 18-year-old celebrity is best known for her colorful appearance, merchandise, and music. She has established her brand as child-friendly and her enthusiastic performances are being welcomed wherever she goes. This particular talent is what she had been putting her investments on even at a young age. She started competing in Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition. She later took on a guest role in Dance Moms.

Siwa wanted to become a regular cast and put a lot of hard work in her performance, much to the delight of her audience. Aside from her TV gigs, she is also using YouTube as her choice of platform. She released one of her hit songs called Boomerang on said channel. She has been continuing to build her brand online, not to mention with the help of Nickelodeon too.

Katy Perry

The I Kissed a Girl singer Katy Perry has been enjoying a stellar career in the music industry. However, did you know that she is using a stage name? Born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, the singer did not want to confuse people with the actress, Kate Hudson. She decided to use her mother’s maiden name instead, which made it easier for her to adopt her stage name. Perry has since created an iconic persona with songs like Roar, California Gurls, and Unconditionally.

Aside from music, she has also shared her talents as a judge in American Idol. Thanks to her $25 million salary for the show, the gig has added to her already growing pile of investment money. She does have a good head for business as she is also a fashion designer herself. It won’t be a surprise if she does launch her own clothing line to pair with her shoes.

Lady Gaga

Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta has made a splash in the music scene in 2008 as her persona Lady Gaga. How did she choose her stage name then? According to the singer, her former producer had referred to as Ga Ga so she decided to use it to create her on stage persona. She has changed her mind several times already on what she liked to be called. Among her songs that she is best known for are Poker Face, Bad Romance, and Paparazzi, to name a few.

Lady Gaga has also dabbled into acting with her recent movie A Star is Born, which was well received. The film earned $100 million in its first 12 days. She also won a Golden Globe for Best Original Song for the movie. She may be worth hundreds of millions already, but to her credit, she is constantly innovating herself by creating different personas.

Lana Del Rey

Lana Del Rey is Elizabeth Woolridge Grant’s stage name and one that has built quite a fan base ever since she dropped her debut album in 2010. Interestingly, she didn’t aspire to be a singer back then as she was busy earning her metaphysics degree at the Fordham University. However, in her free time, she performed in local nightclubs as Sparkle Rope Jump Queen and Lizzy Grant. She first took the stage as Lizzy Grant, but the reception was lukewarm. Years later, she re-emerged with her current stage name, Lana Del Rey, which propelled her career forward.

Her career may have skyrocketed with her second album Born to Die, but her music is often met with controversies and criticisms. The singer has often acknowledged the lines she has used in her songs can be a trigger for some, which is also one of the reasons why she has endeared herself to many. Like with other musicians who wrote about their emotions, Del Rey Ray has banked on her emotions as her source for songwriting.

Lil Nas X

Lil Nas X fans were quite excited to see the singer in Saturday Night Live together with Anya Taylor-Joy who will be hosting. This is not surprising as the singer-rapper has become a sensation since his song Old Town Road went viral in 2019. His fame was further highlighted with his music video for MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name). It is clear that the singer has been using his music as a way to express himself and how he hopes that it will open more doors for those in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Lil Nas X is just his stage name. His real name is Montero Lamar Hill, but he opted to use Lil Nas X since he has been using it on the internet for ages. He just added Lil because he believed that rappers often added it to their names. The X came later on. To his credit, his internet now stage name has helped become an overnight sensation especially after his song MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name) came out.

Lorde

Lorde has gained plenty of attention with her song, Royals, which topped the Billboard charts in 2013. Her sophomore album Melodrama, released in 2017, was then considered a critically acclaimed masterpiece. However, she has become quiet the last few years, not even giving interviews, but it was believed that she was working on a new album. They were right. Her newest album, Solar Flare, looks like that it is going to be yet another promising album from the celebrity.

Born Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O’Connor, Lorde was raised to read and write at an early age along with her siblings. She fell in love with writing and has used it to express herself. It wasn’t surprising that she took up singing. Instead of using her given name, she settled with Lord but added the e at the end to make it more feminine. Fortunately, her career has given her plenty of investment money to use for her next album that we are eagerly waiting for.

Lucy Hale

Lucy Hale has established herself as a star in her roles in Pretty Little Liars, as well as in Katy Keen, not to mention in films like Scream 4 and even Fantasy Island. However, acting is just one of her passion projects, the other was singing. She first rose to fame when she won 4th place in the American Juniors. Music may be her first love, but she took a step back from it in order to focus on becoming an actress.

Recently, the actress came clean on her real name, which is Karen Lucille Hale. The backstory here was that her mother named her for the women in their family just to appease them. However, she was often called Lucy when she was little, so the name stuck. Her performances on TV and in film showed potential, which is one of the reasons why she received numerous nominations. Hopefully she has a financial adviser who will teach her how to use her money well.

Miley Cyrus

The Hannah Montana star has been using Miley Cyrus as her stage name ever since she joined the entertainment industry, but her real name is Destiny Hope Cyrus. According to her parents, Tish and Billy Ray Cyrus, they named her Destiny Hope because they believed that she was destined to do great things, and they were right. However, she was often called Smiley when she was little, that was later shortened to Miley.

The singer had her name legally changed to Miley Ray Cyrus in 2008. After her time in Hannah Montana, the singer went to pursue acting and singing at the same time. She had several albums that were hit makers, which helped her put her investments in real estate. She has also worked on films too, such as in The Last Song and LOL. Cyrus is best known for her songs like Wrecking Ball, FU, and Party in the U.S.A.

Nicki Minaj

Did you now that Nicki Minaj’s real name is Onika Tanya Maraj? The singer-rapper initially used the name Nicki Maraj while she was starting out in her rap career. She later settled with name Minaj, though she wasn’t too much of a fan because of its suggestive connotations. However, it is the name that she stuck with and what she became known for.

Minaj’s career in the rap industry has been met with success, which is not surprising as she has been doing this since she was a teen. She has certainly bloomed into a great-looking rapper too, adding to her overall package. What’s even better is that she has been following an investment planning system that has helped increase her net worth considerably. She has her own gaming application and has even ventured into investing in tech and alcohol industries.

Nina Dobrev

Nikolina Konstantinova Dobreva, or Nina Dobrev as she is more commonly known, has quite the Hollywood career. She gained quite the fan base thanks to her performance in the TV series The Vampire Diaries, but this wasn’t exactly her first time acting. Her first ever role was in Degrassi: The Next Generation, where she took on the role of a teenage mom who became a professional model.

Dobrev has always been an active person even when she was young. She was a rhythmic and athletic gymnast who represented Canada in the junior as well as senior World Championships. Her gymnastic skills have helped her in acting too. Aside from being an actress, Dobrev has also been trying her hand in screenwriting which is outside her comfort zone. She is also looking forward to going back to her roots in the film Arrivals. The star’s rise to fame also came with more earnings, which means that she doesn’t have to worry about any mortgage payments for her home.

Pink

The Who Knew singer Pink has been using her stage name ever since she started her career in the music industry. Her real name, however, is Alecia Beth Moore. The singer shared the origin of her stage name, which was used to taunt her when she was a teenager. According to the singer, some kids at the camp that she used to go to pulled her pants down, causing her to blush. She was teased because she turned pink at that time. She later saw the movie Reservoir Dogs, and the character Mr. Pink was someone she didn’t mind to share the nickname with.

Fortunately, the negative start to her stage name became her stepping stone to a lucrative career in the music industry. Her first few albums were playing off her insecurities, but she has slowly developed more confidence. Her investments on herself have certainly paid off as her albums have been topping the charts ever since.

Rihanna

Rihanna has certainly made a splash in the music scene when she first launched her debut album in 2005. Over the course of her career, she has already released more than 8 albums already which were met with success. Songs like Umbrella, Don’t Stop the Music, Take a Bow, and Unfaithful are among her hit songs.

Outside of her music career, Rihanna has also been banking on the success of her lingerie and cosmetics line, which she put most of her investment money into. Many were wondering where she got the name for her brand, but a quick search online and you will find that Rihanna’s real name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty. The singer has been numb to hearing her stage name chanted back to her that she seldom responds to it. So, if ever you come across the singer and want to catch her attention, call her by her real name.

Shay Mitchell

Anyone who has been a fan of the series Pretty Little Liars will now that Shay Mitchell’s real name is Shannon Mitchell, but only a handful know why she is sticking with Shay as her stage name. Fortunately, the actress was eager to reveal the origin of her stage name. Apparently, she was a big fan of Jennifer Lopez, who goes by the moniker J.Lo, that her friends took to calling her Shay-Lo. She eventually dropped Lo because there could only be one J.Lo.

Mitchell started off as a model before she shifted her focus on modeling. Her first role was as a guest star in Degrassi: The Next Generation. It was followed by more guest role like in Aaron Stone and Rookie Blue. She became a household name with Pretty Little Liars, which ran from 2010 to 2017. With a net worth of $6 million, the actress may need a financial adviser to help her navigate her finances to make it grow further.

The Weeknd

Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, better known as The Weeknd, has certainly gone a long way in his music career. He started out posting his songs in YouTube which helped him reach a wider audience. Today, he is a well-known name in the hip-hop, R&B, and rap genre. His unique music sets him apart from the others and has earned him numerous awards as well. His stage name was inspired when one weekend, he and his friends decided to leave home and never come back. Since there was already a band called Weekend, he decided to drop one e and ended up with The Weeknd.

Aside from his colorful music career, The Weeknd has also been working as an entrepreneur. He has investments in e-cigarettes and Marvel, plus he also has his own recording studio named XO. He is also involved in the fashion industry, where he is selling his own XO branded products. With his huge net worth, The Weeknd has also dropped money on real estate, which is not bad given the money he has been earning.

Vin Diesel

Vin Diesel is one of the most prolific actors in Hollywood today. He’s one of the highest-grossing actors in the world today, and he’s known for his credit role as Dominic Toretto in the Fast & Furious film franchise. Diesel also appeared in other notable films such as XXX, The Iron Giant, Chronicles of Riddick, and even Guardians of the Galaxy. Without a doubt, he’s been able to carve an illustrious acting career for himself.

An interesting fact that you may not know about Vin Diesel is that he has quite an interesting birthname. His real name is Mark Sinclair Vincent, and it’s definitely far from his stage name. He obviously got the Vin in his name from his last name, Vincent. Diesel was a nice touch, which he got from his friends claiming that he was so energetic that it seemed like he ran on fuel.

David Bowie

If you’re a music fan, then you’re certainly familiar with David Bowie’s music. He is one of the most successful musicians of all time. He was heavily celebrated by critics and fellow musicians, particularly for his exceptional and innovative work during the 1970s. He’s certainly a legend and an icon who has been able to impact the music industry majorly. Even his final album Blackstar, which was released posthumously, garnered several Grammy Awards.

Interestingly, the name “David Bowie” is just his stage name. His birth name was David Robert Jones, and it’s quite a mouthful compared to his stage name. It has been said that Bowie picked his last name to honor Jim Bowie, who was a rebel from the 1960 film The Alamo. He certainly deserves a ton of credit for remaining creative even in deciding about what his last name will be.

Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix is a well-known American actor and producer. He is best known for playing unconventional and dark characters throughout his entire acting career. Some of Phoenix’s most notable acting credits came in films like Gladiator, Joker, Inherent Vice, Her, and many more. In addition, he also won several awards, including a Grammy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, an Academy Award, and a British Academy Film Award.

An interesting fact about this decorated actor is that he’s changed his name often throughout the years. The name Joaquin Phoenix is his stage name, but his birth name is Joaquin Rafael Bottom. It’s certainly different from his stage name, and you’d be intrigued to know that he once legally changed his name to Leaf at the age of four. He made several film appearances under the name Leaf, until he took back his birth name 12 years later in 1991.

Téa Leoni

Téa Leoni is a prolific American actress and producer. She has appeared in several films and television shows, including Flying Blind, The Naked Truth, and the 1995 film Bad Boys. Leoni also held lead roles in films such as Jurassic Park III, The Family Man, Deep Impact, and Fun with Dick and Jane. She continues to appear on television to this day, most notably in the CBS drama series Madam Secretary.

Interestingly, Téa Leoni is just her stage name. Her real name is Elizabeth Téa Pantaleoni, and she went with her middle name simply because it’s awesome. Moreover, she felt that Elizabeth was too common for an actor’s name. She also decided to shorten her last name into Leoni, as Pantaleoni was a bit of a mouthful to say. In turn, all of her acting credits are under the name Téa Leoni, and we must admit that her name has a nice ring to it.

Portia De Rossi

Portia de Rossi is a successful Australian-American actress. She’s best known for her credit role as Nelle Porter on the hit drama series Ally McBeal, which aired from 1998 until 2002. She has also managed to appear in other television projects and films such as Arrested Development, Nip/Tuck, Better Off Ted, and many more. She also won her fair share of acting awards throughout her career, including a Screen Actors Guild Award for her performance on Arrested Development.

De Rossi’s birth name is Amanda Lee Rogers. She decided to change her name to Portia de Rossie to reinvent herself. The name Portia came from the heroine in Shakespeare’s iconic drama The Merchant of Venice. Moreover, she chose de Rossi because one cannot deny that it’s a nice Italian-sounding name. She managed to portray the image of an Italian movie star, which was a complete contrast to her Australian background.

Jamie Foxx

Jamie Foxx is an incredibly talented celebrity. He has managed to achieve success as an actor, singer, comedian, songwriter, and television host! Some of his most notable acting credits come from films like Ray, Django Unchained, and Collateral. His talents as an actor haven’t gone unnoticed as he would win several awards, including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. Without a doubt, Foxx is one of the most prolific icons in the entertainment industry today.

An interesting fact about this icon is that Jamie Foxx is just his stage name. His birth name is Eric Marlon Bishop, but he had to change it because he felt that it wasn’t separating him from the pack. He wanted a unique stage name, and it certainly did attract attention from several fans. He went with Jamie for a more gender-neutral name and Foxx to pay homage to the famous Redd Foxx from the popular Sanford and Sons group.

Chevy Chase

Chevy Chase is a successful writer, comedian, and actor. As an actor, he is best known for his acting credits in several films such as National Lampoon, Fletch, Modern Problems, Spies Like Us, and many more. He’s also won a good number of awards, including five nominations for a Primetime Emmy, winning three of them. He also received two Golden Globe Award nominations for his outstanding performance in Foul Play, and he has his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

An interesting fact about his illustrious career is that Chevy Chase is just his stage name. His real name is Cornelius Crane Chase, which just sounds prosperous and exquisite. Chase was originally named after his grandfather, Cornelius, who happened to be the head of the Crane company. Chevy was a nickname given to him by his grandmother, which is inspired by The Ballad of Chevy Chase.

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman is a successful American actress. She is one of the most recognizable actresses in Hollywood today, and she’s also a director and producer. She has appeared in several films, and her most notable acting credits are in movies like Star Wars, V for Vendetta, Black Swan, and The Other Boleyn Girl. As we said, she’s incredibly successful, and her acting resume includes numerous awards, including a nomination for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award.

Natalie Portman’s real name is a complete contrast from her stage name. Her real name is Neta-Lee Hershlag. You could tell where the name Natalie comes from. She changed her last name to Portman at the same time she got her first big breakthrough role. Interestingly, Portman is her grandmother’s maiden name, and she chose it to protect her family’s identity in Hollywood.

Kirk Douglas

Kirk Douglas was a well-known American actor, director, producer, and writer. He made his film debut back in the 1946 film The Strange Love of Martha Ivers and continued to be active in the entertainment industry until 2008. Douglas’ career features countless acting credits and several awards and accolades, including three Academy Award nominations. Without a doubt, he’s one of the most iconic and legendary actors in Hollywood’s history.

You could say that Douglas’s real name is quite a mouthful compared to his real name. Kirk’s real name is Issur Danielovitch, but he later adopted the name Demsky. Upon moving to the United States to become an actor, he had to think of the most American stage name, thus the name Kirk Douglas. Under this stage name, he would go on to help his made-up surname become one of the most famous surnames in the entertainment industry.

Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Golberg is a highly decorated American actress who has appeared in numerous films throughout her career. Some of her most memorable acting credits include The Color Purple, Ghost, Rat Race, Sister Act, and many more. She also managed to become one of the 16 entertainers who has been able to win a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, an Academy Award, and a Tony Award. In addition, she has cemented her name as one of the greatest actresses in the entertainment industry’s history.

The name Whoopi Goldberg is just a screen name; her real name is Caryn Elaine Johnson. It’s certainly a complete contrast from her stage name. She got the name Whoopi after her co-workers gave her the nickname Whoopi Cushion. She liked the nickname Whoopi Cushion, and she figured it would make for an interesting stage name. However, her mother told her that Whoopi Cushion sounded absurd and that she’d be well off with a Jewish surname like Goldberg.

Ben Kingsley

When Ben Kingsley first got his big film breakthrough, he decided to change his name from Krishna Pandit Bhanji. He ultimately adopted a more British-sounding name, hoping it would help him avoid certain racial perceptions and pronunciation difficulties in Hollywood. It definitely worked out his way as he was able to carve out an illustrious film career filled with countless acting credits in various movies.

He coined the stage name Ben Kingsley using a fascinating process. The name Ben is his father’s nickname, and the surname Kingsley comes from his grandfather’s nickname, King Clove. It definitely sounds like he’s a member of an influential and powerful gang or mob family. Besides being a successful actor, the name Ben Kingsley has also been knighted. You may now call or refer to him as Sir Ben Kingsley, one of the most legendary actors in Hollywood’s history.

Michael Caine

Michael Caine is one of the most popular English actors ever. He’s best known for his highly distinguishable South London accent, and he has over 130 film credits in a career that spanned for over six decades. This British film icon won several awards throughout his tenured career, including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and a Golden Globe Award. Like his friend Ben Kingsley, Caine was also knighted by Queen Elizabeth in recognition of his substantial contributions to film.

Michael’s real and former name is Maurice Joseph Micklewhite Jr., and we might have a good idea what you’re thinking. Maurice Joseph Micklewhite Jr. is undoubtedly a longer name than Michael Caine. It’s also quite a mouthful, and it’d be hard to imagine an incredibly successful actor having such a long name. Nonetheless, his decision to use a stage name was certainly an excellent choice, as it allowed him to be easily distinguishable, together with his highly recognizable accent.

Michael Keaton

It’s safe to assume that Michael Keaton is one of the most celebrated actors in Hollywood. He’s easily one of the most recognizable actors in the entertainment industry, thanks to his roles as Batman and Beetlejuice. Keaton has also appeared in several films ranging from romantic comedies, action, thriller, and even dramas. Some of his non-Batman and Beetlejuice roles include credits in films like Jackie Brown, The Other Guys, Much Ado About Nothing, The Paper, and many more.

An interesting and not-so-secret fact about him is that Michael Keaton is his stage name. His real name is Michael Douglas, and he’s incredibly shy about it. Keaton said that he had to change his surname into Keaton as there were too many people named Douglas when he was getting started. The surname Keaton certainly allowed him to separate himself from the pack, that and landing the most prominent DC superhero role back in the 1970s.

Marilyn Monroe

There are numerous circulating rumors and stories about how Marilyn Monroe started her career. What’s interesting is that the icon had to choose between several different versions of her name before getting her big Hollywood breakthrough. Her original name was Norma Jeane Mortenson, and you could say that it’s quite a contrast compared to the stage name Marilyn Monroe. However, we must admit that it’s a bit tough to imagine or see some of her most notable film credits go under the name Norma Jean Mortenson.

When she was 16 years old, she married Jim Dougherty, eventually becoming Norma Jeane Dougherty. Her unforgettable stage name can be credited to Ben Lyon, a studio executive who helped her land her first screen test. Apparently, he didn’t like the name Norma Jeane Dougherty and wanted her to change it. He suggested using the name Marilyn to pay homage to Marilyn Miller, who was a famous stage performer. They soon combined Marilyn with Norma Jeane’s family name, Monroe, and she soon became one of the most iconic women in Hollywood.

Shania Twain

Shania Twain seems like a vibrant and awesome name to give someone that’s currently growing up. However, she didn’t always go by the name Shania. Her real name is actually Eileen Twain, but she had to change it once she started her illustrious music career. It definitely paid off well for her as she quickly rose as one of the most sought-after singers in the industry!

When she was trying to pick a stage name, Shania stood out as it was an Ojibway word that meant “I’m on my way.” Interestingly, her father was an Ojibway Indian, and it was her way of paying homage and honoring him. Not only is Shania a cool name, but you could make an argument that she was well “on her way” to achieve music superstardom. That, and it serves as an excellent tribute to someone that she loves. We’d certainly have to applaud her for the exceptional degree of personalization that she employed upon deciding on a stage name!

Elton John

Elton John was not legally born as Elton John, believe it or not. He was given the name Reginald Kenneth Dwight when he was born. However, he wanted something a little more suited when he first started his music career.

He chose Elton John to celebrate two of his favorite performers, Elton Dean, a saxophonist, and Long John Baldry, a singer. He also changed his middle name, Kenneth, to Hercules, owing to his fondness for the horse from Steptoe and Son’s television program. The great Elton Hercules John was born after that. He’s also a record producer who has been in a few films in addition to his credit. John has sold over 300 million recordings since 1967 when he began collaborating with lyricist Bernie Taupin on more than 30 albums, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

Martin Sheen

Martin Sheen is a respected actor that we have known for a long time. However, many people are unaware that Martin Sheen is really a stage name despite his relatively ordinary name. Instead, he was given the name Ramon Antonio Gerardo Estevez, which is a lot longer than his theatrical name.

Martin decided to use a stage name when he began acting because few opportunities were available for Hispanic actors, so he thought altering his identity would help. He also has children, some of whom you may recognize, with some adopting his stage name, such as Charlie Sheen, and others adopting his real last name, such as Emilio Estevez. The actor has certainly achieved a lot throughout his career. Richard Attenborough, Francis Ford Coppola, Terrence Malick, David Cronenberg, Mike Nichols, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, and Oliver Stone are among the directors with whom Sheen has collaborated. To his credit, in 1989, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

NeNe Leakes

The Real Housewives of Atlanta’s NeNe Leaks is best recognized for her role as a housewife on the show. She has a big personality and has successfully pursued a successful career as an author, producer, actress, and fashion designer.

NeNe is a stage name, as she was born Linnethia Monique Johnson, like many other superstars. It may be a nickname for Linnethia. When it came to picking a stage name, though, she made the decision to use NeNe rather than her birth name. She also has an acting credit as Roz Washington on the Fox comedy-drama series Glee, where she was an original cast member. In addition, she appeared on ABC’s reboot of the 1950s game program To Tell the Truth as a frequent panelist. In addition to her television undertakings, Leakes had a clothing brand on Home Shopping Network before opening her SWAGG stores in select cities across the country.

Gene Simmons

Gene Simmons is well recognized for his work with Kiss, a classic rock band. When you’re a rockstar in a fantastic and popular band like Kiss, you have to have a name that’s even cooler and more memorable to some degree. Gene Simmons is a stage name for Chaim Witz, who was born in Israel. He is the bassist and co-lead singer of Kiss, the rock band he co-founded with lead singer and rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley in the early 1970s.

Simmons held a variety of professions in the city before embarking on his musical career. He worked as an assistant to an editor of the fashion magazine Vogue, where he was praised as an “outstanding typist.” He formally changed his name to Eugene Klein and went by Gene when he emigrated to the United States. He changed his last name to Simmons when he established his band in honor of one of his favorite musicians, Jumpin’ Gene Simmons, and the rest is history.

Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon has starred in films such as Legally Blonde, Little Fires Everywhere, and Cruel Intentions. What you may not know is that the actress was given a different name when she was born. When she first started as an actor, the Big Little Lies star went by her mother’s maiden name, Reese. Her complete birth name is Laura Jean Reese Witherspoon.

Credits to the actress, who requested her mother to enroll her in acting classes at a young age. She later noticed an ad for a young southern girl to be in a film. In 1991, Witherspoon made her feature acting debut in The Man in the Moon. She has maintained a successful level of fame since then. Sing is Witherspoon’s highest-grossing picture to date, with over $634 million in worldwide box office receipts. Sweet Home Alabama grossed more than $182 million globally, Walk the Line, which grossed more than $187 million globally, and Monsters vs. Aliens, which grossed more than $381 million globally, are among her other high-grossing films.

Emma Stone

The La La Land star found out her name, Emily Stone, was already taken when she registered with the Screen Actors Guild as a 16-year-old. She altered her name to Emma after shaving off a few letters. She had no idea Emma would become a famous first name in Hollywood. It’s impossible to beat them all.

After small television roles, she appeared in a series of teen comedy films that received positive media attention, such as Zombieland and Easy A, with the latter being Stone’s first leading role. She gained wider recognition as Gwen Stacy in the 2012 superhero film The Amazing Spider-Man and its 2014 sequel. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as an aspiring actress in the musical La La Land. She recently starred in the leading role in Disney’s Cruella. Stone has received numerous awards to her credit, including being voted the highest-paid actress in the world in 2017 and being named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People In The World.

Mila Kunis

Mila Kunis’ real name is Milena Markovna Kunis. The actress decided to shorten her name when she first started on Days of Our Lives to make her credit snappier and simpler. She was born in Ukraine before relocating to Los Angeles. The attractive actress is well-known for her beautiful features and bright eyes. Based on her remarkable skills and genetic gift—her husky voice and lovely eyes—the actress has managed to establish a stronghold in Hollywood.

The actress is incredibly focused and has starred in several successful films, including Black Swan and Ted. Her performances were first overlooked, but when her film Forgetting Sarah Marshall was released, she received critical acclaim. The actress is also known for setting fashion trends among adolescent females. The lovely actress has also become well-known for her marriage to her husband, Ashton Kutcher. The celebrity couple has two children. The actress recently appeared in the film The Spy Who Dumped Me and has plans to appear in many more films in the future.

Eminem

Marshall Bruce Mathers III was born on October 17, 1972, in St. Joseph Missouri to parents Marshall Bruce Mathers Jr. and Deborah “Debbie” Rae. Both of his parents were musicians and are often given credit for the rapper’s musical chops. After all, their kid would eventually become one of the world’s best-selling musicians. His song Headlights was dedicated to his mom, who raised him as a single parent. Now 48 years old, the hip hop giant is a single father to three girls: Hailie, Whitney, and Alaina.

During his early teen years, he found music, more specifically, the hip-hop genre of music where he started rapping alongside high-school friend Mike Ruby. The duo shortly adopted the stage name M&M, which stuck long enough to become his solo debut stage name long after Ruby withdrew from rapping. Since the beginning of his career in the late 1990s, Eminem has since released 11 studio albums, which have all spawned hit singles.

Olivia Wilde

Olivia Wilde first appeared on the big screen in 2003. Over the last two decades, the superstar has had much success in Hollywood, both in front of and behind the camera. During the early 2000s, she was even named one of Hollywood’s It Girls. While many people are familiar with Olivia Wilde, they are probably unaware that she is only a stage name.

The actress is descended from a long line of well-known journalists with the surname Cockburn. However, the Vinyl singer was presumably looking for a change of pace, which is why she dropped Cockburn and took Oscar Wilde’s famous surname after appearing in a high school production of The Importance of Being Earnest. She has more than lived up to the stage moniker she selected two decades ago. Her career has been an interesting one, with her having worked on both sides of the camera. Since her Hollywood debut in 2003, Wilde has starred in a range of roles in both film and television.

Meg Ryan

Meg Ryan is one of the most well-known actresses of our time. For several decades, she has shared her abilities and skills with the rest of the globe while portraying various personalities. Ryan appears to be a fan of the limelight. Her fans enjoy knowing about her through anything from on-screen footage to press interviews. Many of her devoted admirers and followers, on the other hand, may not be aware that the celebrity has gone by her stage name for most of her life.

Born Margaret Mary Emily Hyra, the When Harry Met Sally heroine changed her name to something snappier after leaving New York University a semester early to pursue her dream of becoming an actress. Many people would be startled to learn the reality behind her moniker after decades of success. However, Ryan’s dedication to the acting and film industries has paid her handsomely. Her name, as well as the reputation and credit that goes along with it, speaks for itself. Ryan’s well-liked demeanor and gifted abilities are the reasons for her current success.

Lea Michele

We discovered Lea Michele’s real name isn’t Lea Michele after listening to her vocally impressive tracks several times. Or, more accurately, it is, it isn’t her complete name. The Glee star opened up about her name change on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno. Bullies in school referred to her as “Lea So-Farty” and “Lea So-Fatty” due to their acoustic closeness to her surname. So, when the casting director asked for her name during her first audition, the singer omitted her surname Safarti and went by Lea Michele, using her middle name as her last name.

The actress rose to fame as Rachel Berry on the Fox show Glee, for which she garnered numerous awards to her credit. In 2012, she signed with Columbia Records. The following year, she released her breakthrough song Cannonball, followed by her debut studio album, Louder, which debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200 chart. She later came out with books, Brunette Ambition and You First: Journal Your Way to Your Best Life.

Tina Fey

Tina Fey was born Elizabeth Stamatina Fey in May 1970, but she is better known as Tina Fey. Later, the Pennsylvania native drew inspiration for her 30 Rock character Liz Lemon’s moniker from her birth name. During the fifth season of the NBC comedy, she even included an Easter egg by closing a riff with her name. Fey’s close friend Amy Poehler refers to her as Betty, which is short for Elizabeth.

The writer, who grew up in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, knew she wanted to be a comic by the time she was in middle school. After graduating with a degree in drama from University of Virginia, she went on to study with Chicago’s Second City improv comedy troupe before finally becoming the first female head writer for Saturday Night Live, with early influences including Mary Tyler Moore, Bob Newhart, and Norman Lear. Fey is already a household name for both her writing and acting, having won nine Emmy Awards.

Kelly Rowland

Born Kelendria Trene Rowland, the Destiny’s Child member modified her initial name to Kelly to keep things simple. Furthermore, it was the name she was known by as a child. She rose to popularity as a member of Destiny’s Child, one of the best-selling girl groups of all time, in the late 1990s. Rowland released her first solo album, Simply Deep, during the group’s three-year sabbatical, which debuted at number one and sold over 3.7 million copies worldwide. It featured Nelly’s number-one single Dilemma, as well as the UK top-five singles Stole and Can’t Nobody.

Rowland released Ms. Kelly, her second studio album, after Destiny’s Child disbanded in 2006. She sold over 40 million records as a solo artist and another 60 million with Destiny’s Child to her credit. Rowland has dabbled with acting, starring in the critically acclaimed flicks Freddy vs. Jason and The Seat Filler.

Luke Bryan

Luke Bryan is, without a doubt, one of country music’s top stars. It appears as his career has always been on the ascent, from his 2007 debut with All My Friends Say to today being one of the greatest entertainers in the genre. Fans adore him for his deep country voice and witty attitude. To his credit, he isn’t hesitant to share details about his personal life with them. Even with his openness, there may be certain things about the country star that people don’t know.

Even though Luke Bryan is a household name, the three-time Entertainer of the Year award winner isn’t named Luke. Thomas Luther Bryan is his actual name. It’s possible that he changed his name because Luke is shorter and easier to recall. He was named after his father, Tommy Bryan, and he gave his first son, Thomas Boyer “Bo” Bryan, the family name.

Elizabeth Banks

Elizabeth Banks’s given name, Elizabeth Maresal Mitchell, was what showed up in the credits of her early on-screen performances. By the year 2000, she had landed a slew of film and television roles, prompting her to change her stage name to Banks to avoid confusion with actress Elizabeth Mitchell.

2015 was Banks’ breakout year, as she completed a Hollywood trifecta. She received acclaim for her performance in the Brian Wilson biopic Love & Mercy, and she also reprised her role as Effie Trinket in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay—Part 2. Pitch Perfect’s pitch was formed over the Banks-Handelman dining-room table in 2012. To build a pitch, she approached her friend Kay Cannon, a writer on 30 Rock. The project was presented to Universal by Banks and Cannon. Pitch Perfect, directed by Jason Moore, cost $17 million to make and grossed $113 million worldwide. As the producer and director of Pitch Perfect 2, Banks saw her film outgross Pitch Perfect’s domestic lifetime total in its first weekend and have the highest-grossing live-action film-musical debut ever.

Stan Lee

Well-regarded as one of the most iconic comic book artists of all time, Stan Lee is known as the face of Marvel. After all, he was heavily responsible for turning what was once a small publishing house into a multimedia empire today. During his tenure at the company, he created countless superheroes which became icons of popular culture. Among such creations to his credit include Spider-Man, Iron Man, the Fantastic Four, the Hulk, and Daredevil, among others. While he has been known as Stan Lee to many, not a lot know his original name.

Lee was originally named Stanley Martin Lieber. He began to use his current name after working for a comic book company shortly after graduating from high school at the age of 16. He originally used his current name as a pseudonym, which is quite common among aspiring comic book artists. Deriving it from it his first name, he eventually changed his name to Stan Lee, which remained his name until his passing.

Kate McKinnon

For many, Kate McKinnon is perhaps famous for her versatile acting. She is well-known as one of Saturday Night Live’s cast members. When she joined the show back in 2012, she became the first openly gay person to join the show. Her talent of being able to replicate countless voices was put into great effect in the show. Among the many people, she impersonated over the years include Hillary Clinton, Penelope Cruz, and Laura Ingraham. Outside of SNL, she has accumulated substantial acting credits, with appearances in Nature Cat, Ghostbusters, and The Big Gay Sketch Show. Despite her notable presence in showbiz, not a lot of people know her full name.

McKinnon’s full name is Kathryn McKinnon Berthold. She began to use McKinnon as her surname when she started performing on stage. However, when she was pursuing her theater degree at Columbia University, she used her full name for her university records but continued to use her stage name during her performances.

Taika Waititi

Taika Waititi is perhaps one of the most accomplished directors in recent years. While he gained prominence thanks to directing Thor: Ragnarok and the upcoming Thor: Love and Thunder, he has already established a name for himself since the early 2010s. Among his film credits at the time include Boy, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, and What We Do in the Shadows, with the latter being adapted into a TV series in 2019. Aside from mainstream successes, he has also directed several award-winning films and episodes for TV series. His fame might lead to a lot of people think that Taika Waititi is his real name, but it’s not.

Waititi was born Taika David Cohen to a Maori father and a Jewish mother. Initially, he used his mother’s surname for his acting and film credits while he used his father’s surname for his visual arts work. Eventually, he used the latter professionally in the early 2000s following the successful release of his first short film, while still keeping his birth name.

John Boyega

John Boyega has been one of the most successful stars in recent years. He became world-famous for his role as Finn in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, starting with The Force Awakens. Before that, he became popular in his native Britain for his performance in Attack the Block in 2011. Other film credits he has accumulated over the years include Pacific Rim: Uprising, Detroit, and 24: Live Another Day. Recently, Boyega has starred in Small Axe by Steve McQueen. He received numerous awards for his role as Leroy Logan. While a lot of people may know him simply as John Boyega, his name is much, much longer.

Boyega’s real name is John Adedayo Bamidele Adegboyega. He was born to parents of Nigerian descent. Initially attending college for film studies and media writing, he dropped out in the early 2010s to focus on his acting career. He shortened his full name to just John Boyega for professional purposes.

Billie Eilish

Possibly one of the most successful artists to make a breakthrough in the latter part of the 2010s, Billie Eilish was but 13 years when she collaborated with brother Finneas O’Connell in songwriting, with her providing the vocals. What came out of their effort were the songs She’s Broken and Fingers Crossed, both of which were released on SoundCloud and garnered much-deserved attention. However, the duo would only garner a high degree of attention for their song Ocean Eyes, also released on SoundCloud in the same year.

The 19-year-old singer usually goes by her first name of Billie Eilish, but her full name is Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O’Connell. Her middle name, Pirate, was proposed by her older brother of four years. Ever since her debut EP Don’t Smile at Me went out in 2017, the singer has enjoyed overwhelming success in her otherwise young career, being even asked to perform the theme song of the latest upcoming Bond film, No Time To Die.

Mahershala Ali

Mahershala Ali has been among the most talented actors of this generation. He became first famous for his role as Richard Tyler in The 4400. He gained further recognition for his roles in The Hunger Games series, House of Cards, and Luke Cage. Recently, he became famous for his performances in Moonlight, The Green Book, and Ramy. As a result of his performances, he was given credit with countless accolades, including two Oscars, three SAG Awards, a Golden Globe, and an Emmy. While a lot of people might know him by his current name, this was not his original one.

Ali was born Mahershalalhashbaz Gilmore. His first name was taken from a prophetic child’s name in the Book of Isaiah, meaning ‘Hurry to the spoils!’ in Hebrew. In his early career, he adopted numerous aliases due to the length and difficulty of his name. Eventually, he changed his name to Mahershala Ali after converting to Ahmadi Islam in the early 2000s.

Alison Brie

Alison Brie has been quite very well-known for her works in various TV series. She became first known for her role as Trudy Campbell in Mad Men. Other well-known roles of hers include Diane Nguyen in BoJack Horseman, Annie Edison in Community, and Ruth Wilder in GLOW. For her roles in these series, she has received several awards and nominations, including a SAG Award and two Golden Globe nominations. Outside of television, Brie’s acting credits in film include The Post, The Lego Movie, The Rental, and Horse Girl, with the latter written and produced by her to great reception. Despite her high-profile status, not a lot know her full name.

Brie’s full name is Alison Brie Schermerhorn. She only started to use her stage name when she began her career back in 2006, with her first TV role in Hannah Montana.

Winona Ryder

Despite seeing some downs throughout her life, Winona Ryder has made a resurgence as a highly talented actress in recent years, like in her early days. She first became famous for her appearance in Beetlejuice in 1988. She became prominent in the 1990s with her most impressive performances in The Age of Innocence and Little Women, which got her Oscar nominations. After a massive slump in the 2000s, she made a comeback in the 2010s. Her most memorable role, to date, is as Joyce Byers in Stranger Things. Other acting credits she has include Star Trek, The Plot Against America, Black Swan, and Frankenweenie. While many may be familiar with her name, it’s not her real one.

Ryder’s real name is Winona Laura Horowitz. She started to use her stage name during the beginning of her career in 1985. She took the name Ryder as her surname because an album by musician Mitch Ryder was playing at the time. Since then, she has been known by her stage name.

Guy Fieri

Guy Fieri is a fixture in American food television. He is perhaps considered to be the face of the Food Network. He has hosted countless shows on the network since the early 2000s. As a presenter on the TV network, he created the concept of Flavortown, which made it highly endearing with fans. He has established his restaurant enterprise long before he starred in TV. He has investments in various restaurants scattered across the United States, with his flagship restaurant being Johnny Garlic’s. While a lot of people know him by his current name, not a lot know that it’s just a stage name.

Fieri was born Guy Ramsay Ferry to parents of Italian descent. He started to use the surname Fieri shortly after he got married back in 1995. His original surname was just an Anglicization of Fieri, and he changed his surname to Fieri in honor of his Italian grandfather.

Lele Pons

Lele Pons has been among a list of celebrities who got their start online and transitioned seamlessly into traditional media. She became wildly popular due to her videos posted on Vine until the platform shut down in 2016. Banking on this success, she expanded her career into other areas, including a successful music career, YouTube Original series, a Spotify podcast, and various investments in her jewelry line. In addition, she has appeared in various music videos, hosted some award ceremonies, and even had an acting role in MTV’s Scream. While many might know her by her professional name, it is not her real one.

Pons’ real name is Eleonora Pons Maronese. She was originally from Venezuela and moved to the United States at the age of five. Her professional name, Lele Pons, is just derived from her first two names.

Steven Tyler

Steven Tyler is an icon of American music. He is famous for being the frontman of the rock band Aerosmith and is given credit for propelling the band to stardom. He started to gain prominence during the 1970s and early 1980s with hit songs Dream On, Walk This Way, and Sweet Emotion. While he suffered a slump throughout the 1980s, he experienced a resurgence, especially during the 1990s. One of his most well-known songs from this period is I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing, which was featured in Armageddon. Throughout his decades-long career, he has endured many setbacks and became one of the most notable artists today.

Despite the high profile, only some people may even know his real name. Tyler’s real name is Steven Victor Tallarico. He changed his surname for professional reasons during the start of his career.

James D’Arcy

James D’Arcy has seen success in both Britain and America. He became well-known for his role as Edwin Jarvis in the television series Agent Carter. His other famous roles include Broadchurch and Dunkirk. He first appeared in minor roles in TV shortly after graduating with an acting degree in 1995. He started to gain considerable success during the 2000s. Among his roles in both film and TV include Dot the I, The Trench, Master, and Commander: The Far Side of the World, and After the Dark. In addition, he has also played some roles on radio, with performances in various programs such as in The Crowded Street and Tess of the d’Urbervilles.

While he has been known by his current name for quite a while now, James D’Arcy is not his original one. D’Arcy’s name, at one point, was Simon Richard D’Arcy.

Sara Gilbert

Sara Gilbert has been quite well-beloved for her roles on television for decades now. She is perhaps well-known for her role as Darlene Conner, who first appeared in Roseanne and eventually the spin-off series The Conners. Her character, which almost mirrors that of Roseanne’s in terms of personality, has been well-beloved by audiences to this day. Aside from that, she is also known for her role as Leslie Winkle on The Big Bang Theory and is given credit for creating and co-hosting the talk show The Talk. Her other TV appearances include ER, Welcome to New York, and 24. Throughout her career mostly in TV, she has won numerous awards and nominations, including two Emmy nominations. Like many actors with stage names, her stage name is not her real one.

Gilbert’s real name is Sara Rebecca Abeles. She took the surname Gilbert from her mother’s first husband, Paul Gilbert. While she has been known for her stage name, she still maintains her birth name.

Brie Larson

Brie Larson has had a quite tumultuous career yet achieved considerable success in recent years. She is perhaps world-famous for her role as Captain Marvel in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, starting with Captain Marvel. Larson started her career as a child actor, first appearing in TV shows. She found her breakthrough in the United States of Tara, released in 2009. She then achieved a massive milestone with her performance in 2015’s Room. Her role in the film was given credit via many awards, including an Oscar Award. While the actress is famously known for her current name, this is not her real name.

Larson’s real name is Brianne Sidonie Desaulniers. As her name was quite long and difficult to pronounce, she adopted the name Brie Larson for her work. She took the name partially from her Swedish great-grandma and an American Girl doll named Kirsten Larson.

Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise is one of the most iconic actors of all time. He has been well-known for his iconic roles in Top Gun, Mission: Impossible, Edge of Tomorrow, and The Last Samurai. During his career beginnings in the 1980s, he was regarded as a boy-next-door. His charisma, natural beauty, and dominant presence made him quite popular very early on and to this day. While he has been quite focused on mainstream films, he has also acted in award-winning film. His acting credits in films such as Born on the Fourth of July, Jerry Maguire, and Magnolia have garnered him praise and numerous awards and nominations. While he is known as Tom Cruise, many might not know that this is not his real name.

Cruise’s real name is Thomas Cruise Mapother IV. Given the fact that it’s somewhat a long name, it’s no surprise that Cruise opted to use his current name for his professional work.

Chuck Lorre

Chuck Lorre is an American television director, producer, and actor who is best known for his work on sitcoms such as Grace Under Fire, Cybill, Dharma & Greg, The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, and The Kominsky Method. For the latter show, he famously won a Golden Globes Award for his credit in creating during 2019. Charles Michael Levine was born into a Jewish family in Plainview, New York. He was given the Hebrew name Chaim, and at the age of 26, he changed his surname from Levine to Lorre for reasons undisclosed. Lorre later attended the State University of New York at Potsdam after high school but dropped out after two years to pursue a career as a songwriter.

Although he initially had a successful breakthrough in songwriting, most notably for co-writing the theme song of the iconic cartoon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, writing would be where Lorre would shine. Come the 1990s, he would go on to write and create shows such as Grace Under Fire, Cybill, and Dharma & Greg, all of which would have a hand in skyrocketing his popularity.

Criss Angel

A New York native of Greek descent, professional magician, and television personality Christopher Nicholas Sarantakos, better known for his stage name Criss Angel, blew countless minds during the mid-2000s with his show Criss Angel Mindfreak. The show ran from 2005 to 2010, spanning 96 episodes and 6 seasons. With it, the magician and television personality enjoyed a high degree of popularity, which in no small part contributed to his hefty net worth of $50 million.

The show solidified the magician’s role in his industry, placed beside some of modern magic’s most prominent and decorated names such as David Blaine, Penn & Teller, and of course, the most successful magician to date, David Copperfield. Although little is known about the specifics of how the multi-millionaire magician chose his stage name to which he would be known throughout his career, what is known is that Criss is taken directly from his first name, Christopher.

Jenna Fischer

American actress Jenna Fischer became undoubtedly popular due to her role in the U.S. version of The Office as Pam Beesly, who is the love interest and eventual wife of John Krasinski’s Jim Halpert. Born as Regina Marie Fischer, she has credits in multitudes of television shows and films such as Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, The Promotion, Hall Pass, and NBC’s You, Me and the Apocalypse.

The actress, whom we would all come to love in The Office, first started her career as a theater actress in a musical adaptation of the 1922 film Nosferatu with Zoo District Theater Company. However, Fischer’s first television role would be in the 2001 sitcom Spin City, in which she played an unnamed waitress. It would not be until 2005, where, the actress landed the role of Pam Beesly in the hit 2000s NBC sitcom, The Office, that she would meet lasting success.

Ruby Rose

The Australian model and actress Ruby Rose was born Ruby Rose Langenheim. She rose to fame as a presenter on MTV Australia from 2007 to 2011. She is also known for her high-profile modeling jobs, most notably working as the face of Maybelline New York in Australia. She blew up in the United States after she appeared in Orange is the New Black. She has also been featured in several action flicks such as Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, John Wick: Chapter 2, as well as the musical comedy Pitch Perfect 3 and the monster movie The Meg.

The model and actress moved houses for most of her childhood, living in the southern Australian island state of Tasmania, and then Gold Coast’s Surfers Paradise before settling in Melbourne. Rose is the great-granddaughter of German movie actress Ellen Bang and the daughter of Katia Langenheim, whom she credits as one of her role models.