Many celebrities adopt stage names to create a persona that is more memorable, easier to pronounce, or simply better suited for show business. Some choose names that sound catchier, while others alter their real names for privacy or branding purposes. You may be surprised to learn that some of the biggest stars in the world were actually born with entirely different names. Here are ten famous celebrities whose real names you probably didn’t know.
1. Bruno Mars – Peter Gene Hernandez
Bruno Mars, the multi-talented singer, songwriter, and performer, was born Peter Gene Hernandez in Honolulu, Hawaii. He adopted the name “Bruno” as a childhood nickname given by his father because he resembled professional wrestler Bruno Sammartino. “Mars” was added to give himself an out-of-this-world stage presence.
2. Miley Cyrus – Destiny Hope Cyrus
Born Destiny Hope Cyrus, the former Disney star changed her name to Miley, inspired by her childhood nickname “Smiley” due to her constant grinning. In 2008, she legally changed her name to Miley Ray Cyrus, with “Ray” paying homage to her grandfather, Ronald Ray Cyrus.
3. Jamie Foxx – Eric Marlon Bishop
Comedian, actor, and singer Jamie Foxx was born Eric Marlon Bishop. Early in his stand-up comedy career, he noticed that female comedians were often called up first at open mic nights. To increase his chances of getting stage time, he chose the gender-neutral “Jamie Foxx” as a tribute to comedian Redd Foxx.
4. Lady Gaga – Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta
The pop icon known as Lady Gaga was born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta in New York City. Her stage name was inspired by the Queen song “Radio Ga Ga.” A producer sent her a text that autocorrected “Radio Ga Ga” to “Lady Gaga,” and the name stuck.
5. Elton John – Reginald Kenneth Dwight
The legendary British singer-songwriter was originally named Reginald Kenneth Dwight. He changed his name to “Elton John” as a tribute to blues singer Long John Baldry and saxophonist Elton Dean. The change was part of his transformation into an extravagant music icon.
6. Natalie Portman – Neta-Lee Hershlag
Academy Award-winning actress Natalie Portman was born Neta-Lee Hershlag in Jerusalem, Israel. She adopted “Portman,” her grandmother’s maiden name, as a professional alias to maintain privacy and protect her family’s identity.
7. Vin Diesel – Mark Sinclair
The “Fast & Furious” star Vin Diesel was born Mark Sinclair. During his time as a nightclub bouncer in New York, he wanted a name that sounded tougher and more action-ready. “Vin” comes from his stepfather’s last name, Vincent, while “Diesel” was a nickname given to him because of his boundless energy.
8. Meghan Markle – Rachel Meghan Markle
The Duchess of Sussex, known worldwide as Meghan Markle, was actually born Rachel Meghan Markle. Interestingly, “Rachel” was also the name of her character on the TV series Suits. She opted to go by her middle name, Meghan, from an early age.
9. Whoopi Goldberg – Caryn Elaine Johnson
Comedian and actress Whoopi Goldberg was born Caryn Elaine Johnson. The name “Whoopi” comes from “whoopee cushion,” as she was known for her humor and ability to make people laugh. “Goldberg” was added to give her a more distinguished and theatrical-sounding surname.
10. Jay-Z – Shawn Corey Carter
Rapper and entrepreneur Jay-Z was born Shawn Corey Carter in Brooklyn, New York. His stage name was inspired by his mentor, rapper Jaz-O, as well as the J and Z subway lines that ran near his childhood home. The name “Jay-Z” became his brand and identity in the music industry.
Conclusion
Many celebrities adopt stage names to craft a public persona that is distinct, catchy, or easier to market. Whether for privacy, branding, or personal reasons, these ten stars chose names that have become household brands, making it easy to forget their original names. The next time you hear a celebrity name, you might wonder—is it their real name or just part of their showbiz identity?