Yahoo Lifestyle Do You Know the Real Names of Your Favorite Celebrities?
What’s in a name? As William Shakespeare would argue, a rose by any other name smells just as sweet. And so, too, the talents of countless entertainers are just as pure even though they have opted to change their names. Sometimes, they’ve had to take on a new moniker for practical reasons—there’s someone already in the business that has the same name. Sometimes, it’s personal—let’s just say these folks haven’t always been gifted with one of the best names for the bright lights of Hollywood.
While some name changes are obvious—no one actually believes that Snoop Dogg is his Christian name, after all—there are others that are merely a matter of trading a first name for a middle. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t surprises. Can you believe that Marilyn Manson once went to school with a perfectly normal first and last name? Or that Ice Cube’s first name is “O’Shea”? It’s true! Check out this list to find out how some of your favorite actresses, actors, and musicians came into the world before coming out with a new persona.
Actresses’ Real Names
1. Selma Blair/ Selma Blair Beitner
If you’ve read Selma’s autobiography, you know she had a complicated relationship with her dad. It’s little wonder then that she would ditch his last name and use her middle for credits that include “Legally Blonde,” “Cruel Intentions,” and “Hell Boy.”
2. Reese Witherspoon/Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon
Recently, Reese Witherspoon revealed to Nicole Kidman that she refers to her friend and frequent co-star Laura Dern as “Dern” because her “real” first name is also Laura. It’s okay if you find that confusing. Nicole did, too.
3. Olivia Wilde/Olivia Jane Cockburn
Look, when you’re a beautiful superstar who has starred in big-budget movies like Cowboys & Aliens and directed beloved films like Booksmart, the last thing you need is “Cockburn” as a last name.
4. Sigourney Weaver/Susan Alexandra Weaver
There’s a meme going around that posits that Sigourney Weaver is the only Sigourney in the world. The truth is, she’s not even really a Sigourney.
5. Diane Keaton/Diane Hall
When you have a fairly common first and last name, odds are there’s already someone in the Actor’s Guild with that name. That’s what happened to the star of films like “Annie Hall,” “The Godfather,” and “Something’s Gotta Give,” so she traded Hall for Keaton.
6. Meg Ryan/Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra
The characters this actress plays often are quick to get to the point, whether that’s in Top Gun, You've Got Mail, or When Harry Met Sally. So it makes sense that she opted for a stage name that’s both short and sweet.
7. Demi Moore/Demetria Gene Guynes
A woman named “Demetria Gene” ages like a human being. A movie star named “Demi” does not.
8. Natalie Portman/Neta-Lee Hershlag
The Israeli-American actress and star of films like Garden State and the Star Wars franchise chose to use her paternal grandmother's maiden name professionally for privacy reasons.
9. Winona Ryder/Wynona Laura Horowitz
There are several stories on the internet as to how the actress went from Horowitz to Ryder, but whatever the case, the Minnesota-native made the most of it!
10. Emma Stone/Emily Stone
Although the Oscar-winning actress has found a great deal of success as an “Emma,” she recently told some folks to call her “Emily” on the red carpet.
11. Blake Lively/Blake Ellender Brown
If given the choice, would you rather be referred to as “lively” or “brown.” It’s pretty plain how Blake feels on the matter.
12. Mila Kunis/Milena Markovna Kunis
The Ukraine-born actress came to the States with her parents when she was only 7. About eight years later, she changed her name when she booked her role on That ’70s Show.
13. Helen Mirren/Helen Lydia Mironov
This literal Dame has made quite the (new) name for herself with a career that’s spanned decades. She’s performed Shakespeare, won an Oscar playing Queen Elizabeth, and kicked butt in a slew of action movies.
14. Mindy Kaling/Vera Mindy Chokalingam
Back before she was a star and writer on The Office, Mindy used to do standup comedy. Unfortunately, emcees had some problems pronouncing her last name, so she shortened it.
15. Whoopi Goldberg/Caryn Elaine Johnson
Caryn considered going with “Whoopi Cushione.” Luckily, she had a change of heart, because it’s hard to imagine hearing, “The Oscar goes to Whoopi Cushione.”
16. Tina Fey/Elizabeth Stamatina Fey
Perhaps the funniest woman in the world shortened her middle name and then promptly went on to rule television, movies, and Broadway.
17. Elizabeth Banks/Elizabeth Mitchell
Like so many before her, the actress, writer, and director found that there was already someone in show business with her name. So she changed it and went on to make bank with films such as Pitch Perfect.
18. Rita Wilson/Margarita Ibrahimoff
This name change wasn’t influenced by Hollywood, although it did happen in LA. Margarita’s dad changed the family name four years after she was born.
19. Portia de Rossi/Amanda Lee Rogers
As one of the stars of one of the best shows ever (Arrested Development), she’s allowed to exchange the name she was born with for something with a decidedly Italian flair.
20. Carmen Electra/Tara Patrick
When Prince gives you a new name, you take it on. So when he rechristened her, the 1990s personality had no choice but to say “So long, Tara.” And “Hello, Carmen!”
Actors’ Real Names
21. Vin Diesel/Mark Sinclair
You know who isn’t too fast or too furious? Mark Sinclair. Vin Diesel, however, is both. He’s one of the highest-grossing actors in show business and is also known by another name—Dominick Toretto—in the Fast & Furious franchise.
22. Jamie Foxx/Eric Marion Bishop
We’re not saying it’s the secret to his success, but it was quite a cool move to trade Bishop for something with a double x.
23. Charlie Sheen/Carlos Irwin Esteves
With all the stuff that has happened in Sheen’s life during the past couple of decades, you’d be forgiven if you forgot that Sheen is the son of Martin Sheen, an actor who also changed his name.
24. Michael Keaton/Michael Douglas
Just as there can only be one guy who plays Beetlejuice, there can only be one guy who plays a policeman with more than questionable instincts in Basic Instinct. Alas, Michael Douglas—the son of Kirk Douglas was in Hollywood first—so the second Michael Douglas had to find another last name.
25. Tom Cruise/Thomas Cruise Mapother IV
Let’s be real: He’s always been Tom Cruise. No last name necessary, although it’s a nice reminder of his cousin William Mapother who starred in Lost and the underrated Another Earth.
26. Jonah Hill/Jonah Hill Feldstein
Unlike his equally talented sister Beanie, the Academy Award-nominated actor (it’s true! Two times!) and writer decided to edit out his last name.
27. Jude Law/David Law
David does not have the juice to play Dickie Greenleaf in The Talented Mr. Ripley, Errol Flynn in The Aviator, Watson in Sherlock Holmes, or Captain Hook in Peter Pan. These are jobs for a Jude.
28. Brad Pitt/William Bradley Pitt
One wonders if Shania Twain would have name-checked the Missouri native if she’d had to say, “So you’re William Bradly Pitt.” Something tells us that wouldn’t have impressed her as much.
29. Ashton Kutcher/Christopher Ashton Kutcher
The Iowa native and star of That ’70s Show opted to lose the first name when he went Hollywood.
30. Michael Caine/Maurice Joseph Micklewhite
The British actor has had a prolific career, appearing in more than 160 films during the course of his very long career. When he started in the business, he actually chose the name “Michael White,” but was dismayed to find out there was already an actor in London by that name. And thus, Michael Caine was born.
31. Joaquin Phoenix/Joaquin Bottom
The acclaimed actor used to go by “Leaf” for a minute, too. He changed it back to “Joaquin” when he was 15.
Musicians’ Real Names
32. John Legend/John Roger Stephens
It’s not even bragging—as the first Black man (and one of the youngest!) to win an EGOT, the musician is indeed a legend. Throw in the fact that he’s married to Chrissy Teigen? His chosen last name couldn’t be more perfect.
33. Katy Perry/Katherine Elizabeth Hudson
How are you going to become a musical sensation and a judge on The Voice if you have the same name as Goldie Hawn’s daughter? Answer: You’re not.
34. Miley Cyrus/Destiny Hope Cyrus
It was not in fact Cyrus’s destiny to keep her original first name. Now, she’s busy just being Miley.
35. Bruno Mars/Peter Gene Hernandez
Long before the singer and songwriter was selling more than 100 million albums, his dad nicknamed him “Bruno” because he looked like wrestler Bruno Sammartino. It’s possible he chose the last name “Mars” because he foresaw out-of-this-world success.
36. Jon Bon Jovi/John Francis Bongiovi, Jr.
The rules of becoming a rock star are simple: Lose the silent “h” in a first name; 86 middle names like “Francis”; and add more capital letters to a last name.
37. Rihanna/Robyn Rihanna Fenty
She shines bright like a diamond and found love in a hopeless space using her middle name as her first. Heck, she hasn’t done too badly with that last name either.
38. Queen Latifah/Dana Elaine Owens
Somehow the rapper, producer, and actress always knew she was a queen. So she made it official.
39. Nicki Minaj/Onika Tanya Maraj
According to The Guardian, Nicki did not choose her last new name. In fact, she hated it, but she was convinced to take it on when she signed her first production deal.
40. Lorde/Ella Maria Lani Yelich-O’Connor
Apparently, the Kiwi-born singer and songwriter has an interest in titles, so she bestowed one on herself.
41. Courtney Love/Courtney Michelle Harrison
Did you know that for a brief moment in 2010 that Courtney Love decided she was going to use her birth name going forward? Neither did we.
42. Lana Del Rey/Elizabeth Woolridge Grant
Back when she was starting out, the singer and songwriter wanted a name that captured the spirit of the music she wanted to make. She nailed it.
43. Shania Twain/Eileen Regina Edwards
When the Canadian-born singer was a kid, her mother remarried and her stepfather adopted her, so her last name became “Twain.” Later in life, she signed a record deal and chose the name “Shania” in a nod to her adopted dad’s Ojibwa lineage.
44. Ice Cube/O’Shea Jackson
Apparently, the rapper and actor didn’t think going by “O’Shea” gave off the right vibe when he joined the Compton hip-hop group NWA.
45. Snoop Dogg/Calvin Cordozar Droadus Jr.
Who would have ever guessed that everyone and their grandma would know and love Snoop thanks to his friendship with Martha Stewart and Olympics coverage?
46. Chappell Roan/Kayleigh Rose Amstutz
While she used her real name for years when she was performing on Youtube, she eventually chose a stage name in honor of her grandpa, Dennis Chappell, and his favorite song, “The Strawberry Roan,” according to the Internet. And then she had to tell everyone how to pronounce “Roan.”
47. Lady Gaga/Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta
It makes sense that a song by Queen, “Radio Gaga,” inspired the name of someone who would become the queen of pop.
48. Randy Travis/Randy Bruce Traywick
Although Randy Travis is gonna love you forever and ever, he did not love his last name. So he changed it forever and ever. Amen.
49. Bono/Paul Hewson
A friend bestowed the name “Bono Vox” on the lead singer of U2 back when he was growing up in Dublin. The first part stuck.
50. RuPaul/RuPaul Andre Charles
When you’re incredibly fabulous, a first name will do.
51. Cardi B/Belcalis Almanzar
The rapper once told Wendy Williams that her stage name comes from a very specific kind of rum. Her sister’s name is Hennessy, and people started calling Becalis “Bacardi.” She later shortened it and added the B to the end.
52. Eminem/Marshall Mathers
This nickname actually makes total sense, and it’s been in the lexicon since 1999 when he released “The Real Slim Shady.”
53. Drake/Aubrey Graham
How are you going to win a rap beef when your name is Aubrey Graham? You’re not.
54. Lizzo/Melissa Jefferson
She plays the flute. She raps. She sings. Could she do all that as Melissa? Sure. But then her fans wouldn’t be called Lizzbians.
55. Iggy Azalea/Amethyst Kelly
While the Australian rapper was born with a ready-for-the-stage name, she opted to go in a different direction, reportedly using the name of her childhood pet, Iggy, and the street she grew up on.
56. Marilyn Manson/Brian Warner
There’s nothing inherently unsettling about the name Brian Warner. Maybe that’s why the rock star chose to change his moniker by combining two famous Americans—one from Hollywood (Marilyn Monroe), the other from Spahn Ranch (Charlie Manson).
57. Jay-Z/Shawn Carter
Back when he was growing up, the greatest rapper of all time went by the name “Jazzy.” Later, he shortened it, and the rest is history.
58. Calvin Harris/Adam Wiles
While the Scottish DJ uses his stage name when he’s spinning records, he prefers that friends and family use his real name in real life.
59. Elle King/Tanner Schneider
Comedian Rob Schneider’s daughter has made a name for herself as a singer, songwriter, and actress. It’s just not the name she was born with.
60. Frank Ocean/Christopher Breaux
The prolific singer/songwriter’s chosen name is said to be a nod to Frank Sinatra and one of the films Old Blue Eyes starred in, Ocean’s 11.
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