25 Celebrities Who Have Changed Their Name Since Birth

The world of entertainment is full of celebrities who have changed their name for various reasons. Some do it for personal or professional reasons, while others change their name to make it more marketable. In this article, we’ll take a look at 25 celebrities who have changed their name since birth.

Table of Contents

Elton John

Elton John was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight. He changed his name in 1967 when he teamed up with Bernie Taupin. They chose the name “Elton John” as a tribute to two of their favorite musicians at the time: bluesman Elton Dean and singer Long John Baldry.

Meghan Markle

Before becoming the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle was known as Rachel Meghan Markle. She dropped her first name and went by her middle name when she began her acting career.

Zayn Malik

Zayn Malik was born Zain Javadd Malik. He changed his name when he joined One Direction because he thought it would be easier to pronounce and remember.

Brie Larson

Brie Larson was born Brianne Sidonie Desaulniers. She changed her name when she began acting because she wanted a name that was easier to remember and pronounce.

Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon was born Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon. She dropped her first name and went by her middle name because she thought it sounded better.

Olivia Wilde

Olivia Wilde was born Olivia Jane Cockburn. She changed her last name to Wilde, inspired by the writer Oscar Wilde, when she began acting.

Bruno Mars

Bruno Mars was born Peter Gene Hernandez. He adopted his stage name because his father used to call him “Bruno” as a child because of his resemblance to wrestler Bruno Sammartino.

Lady Gaga (born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta)

Lady Gaga is known for her unique style and sound, but her birth name is a far cry from her stage name. Born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, Lady Gaga adopted her stage name in 2006, citing that it was inspired by the Queen song “Radio Ga Ga.”

Katy Perry (born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson)

Katy Perry has become one of the most recognizable pop stars in the world, but she was born as Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson. Perry changed her name to avoid confusion with actress Kate Hudson and to better suit her music career.

Miley Cyrus (born Destiny Hope Cyrus)

Miley Cyrus is another celebrity who changed her name to better suit her career. Born Destiny Hope Cyrus, Miley legally changed her name to Miley Ray Cyrus in 2008. Miley has said that she chose the name Miley because it was what her family had always called her.

John Legend (born John Roger Stephens)

John Legend has won multiple Grammy awards and has become a household name, but he was born as John Roger Stephens. Legend changed his name because he felt that it better represented his persona as a musician.

Jamie Foxx (born Eric Marlon Bishop)

Actor and musician Jamie Foxx was born as Eric Marlon Bishop. He chose his stage name as a nod to the comedian Redd Foxx and to avoid gender bias in Hollywood.

Nicki Minaj (born Onika Tanya Maraj)

Nicki Minaj is known for her unique fashion and unapologetic lyrics, but she was born as Onika Tanya Maraj. Minaj changed her name to better suit her brand as a rapper.

Emma Stone (born Emily Jean Stone)

Emma Stone has become one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actresses, but she was born as Emily Jean Stone. Stone changed her name because there was already an actress named Emily Stone in the Screen Actors Guild.

Portia de Rossi (born Amanda Lee Rogers)

Actress Portia de Rossi was born Amanda Lee Rogers. She legally changed her name to Portia de Rossi at the age of 15, taking the first name from a Shakespearean character and the last name from a family friend.

Michael Caine (born Maurice Joseph Micklewhite Jr.)

Actor Michael Caine has won two Academy Awards and has become a legend in Hollywood, but he was born as Maurice Joseph Micklewhite Jr. Caine legally changed his name to Michael Caine in 1954, taking the name from the title of the movie “The Caine Mutiny.”

Audrey Hepburn (born Audrey Kathleen Ruston)

Audrey Hepburn is considered one of the greatest actresses of all time, but she was born as Audrey Kathleen Ruston. Hepburn changed her name when she began acting because she thought it would be easier to remember.

Marilyn Monroe (born Norma Jeane Mortenson)

One of the most iconic actresses of all time, Marilyn Monroe was born as Norma Jeane Mortenson. Monroe chose her stage name as a combination of her mother’s maiden name and her grandmother’s last name.

Whoopi Goldberg (born Caryn Elaine Johnson)

Actress and comedian Whoopi Goldberg was born Caryn Elaine Johnson. She chose her stage name because it represented who she was as a performer.

Woody Allen (born Allan Stewart Konigsberg)

Woody Allen is known for his work as a writer, director, and actor, but he was born as Allan Stewart Konigsberg. Allen legally changed his name in his late teens, adopting the name Woody Allen because it sounded more approachable.

Stevie Wonder (born Stevland Hardaway Judkins)

Stevie Wonder is a music icon, but he was born as Stevland Hardaway Judkins. Wonder legally changed his name to Stevland Hardaway Morris when he signed his first recording contract at the age of 11, but he later changed it to Stevie Wonder.

Lana Del Rey (born Elizabeth Woolridge Grant)

Lana Del Rey is known for her melancholic pop sound and retro-inspired image, but she was born as Elizabeth Woolridge Grant. Del Rey chose her stage name because it combined the glamour of Hollywood with the grit of the underground.

Charlie Sheen (born Carlos Irwin Estevez)

Actor Charlie Sheen was born as Carlos Irwin Estevez. He adopted his stage name because he wanted to distance himself from his famous father, Martin Sheen, and to create his own identity in Hollywood.

Jay-Z (born Shawn Corey Carter)

Rapper and music mogul Jay-Z was born as Shawn Corey Carter. He adopted his stage name as a nod to his childhood nickname “Jazzy” and to honor his mentor, rapper Jaz-O.

Ben Kingsley (born Krishna Pandit Bhanji)

Academy Award-winning actor Ben Kingsley was born as Krishna Pandit Bhanji. He changed his name to Ben Kingsley at the suggestion of his agent, feeling that it would better suit his acting career.

Conclusion

Celebrities change their names for various reasons, whether it’s for personal or professional reasons, or to make it more marketable. The celebrities listed above are just a few examples of those who have changed their names since birth.

Author Profile

Adam Regan

Deputy Editor

Features and account management. 3 years media experience. Previously covered features for online and print editions.

Email Adam@MarkMeets.com