50 celebrities you have never known

These massive stars are born with totally different names. Here's why they changed them.


WHOOPI GOLDBERGandJamie Foxx Are household names to anyone with a TV. Caryn Johnson and Eric Bishop on the other hand? At most people, these names mean anything - but they are actually the birth names of these legendary,A-List stars. No, it's not just a divas word likeMadonnaandDear who use scene monikers. Even celebrities with mountain names of mills, likeMartin SheenandMeg Ryan, secretly live a double life. Read it to know the real names of some of your favorite celebrities and why they go through something other professional and for the stars who share a year of birth, discover100 celebrities that you do not believe are the same age.

1
Half moore

Demi Moore
TINSELTOWN / SHUTTERSTOCK

Real name: Half Gene Guynes

GhostStarHalf mooredid not at random his new last name. Long before it is linked toBruce WillisWhereAshton KutcherShe was briefly married to a named singerFreddy Moore. But even before making it official, she decided toborrow his last name Use professionally. And although their relationship did not glue, that the moniker did.

For stars that did not marry other stars, check28 celebrities who married normal and non-famous people.

2
Cardi B

Cardi B
Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock

Real name: Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar

RapperCardi BThe scene name is adapted from a nickname she had during her childhood at Bronx, New York. Since his older sister is called Hennessy and the two were always together,She was often called Barcardi-Other Boozy drink.

3
Mahershala Ali

Mahershala Ali
Photo -Flash / Shutterstock agency

Real name: Mahershalalhashashbaz Gilmore

WINNING ACTOR OF OSCARSMahershala AliPastor's motherchose his name of the Bible, according toGuardian. He has changed Gilmore's surname in Ali when he converts Christianity to Islam in 2000 and several years later have shorten his name in the hope of advancing his career.

For more big names in the business, checkThe biggest star that is the same age as you.

4
Diane Keaton

Diane Keaton
Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock

Real name: Diane Hall

It's quite wild that the actorDiane Keatonwas actually born Diane Hall, when she was going to return to fameplay a person who shares his original surname. Keaton is the name of his mother, that the star has chosen to go before she knocks him big.

5
Billie AILISH

Billie Eilish holding up her Grammy at the awards show in 2020
Reuters / Alamy Photo

Real name: Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O'Connell

Music superstarBillie AILISHgo through its first names and professional first names. His full name is as impressive as his catalog and includes a second name selected by his old brother and his collaborator.Finneas O'Connell(Pirate) as well as the two family names of his parents.

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6
Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder, inspiring quotes
Refuge

Real name: Steveland Judkins

WhenStevie Wonder first signed with Motown, he legally changed his nameSteveland Judkins in Steveland Morris, taking the name of his mother's young girl. However, when Motown Executive RecordBerry gordy Started calling it "Wonder", Stevie has changed his name again and so the name of the musician scene was born.

7
Tina Fey

Tina Fey celebrity commercials
Refuge

Real name: Elizabeth Stamata Fey

While fey is sheReal name, Tina is actually an abbreviated version of his second name, Stamatina. Quite funny, the actress' given to the first name is Elizabeth, that she used as inspiration for the name of herRock Character, Liz lemon.

For more beloved series, checkThe 50 most popular television shows of all time.

8
Bono

Bono
Refuge

Real name: Paul David Hewson

Bono Can have a single name now, but the Frontman of U2 was born with three:Paul David Hewson. As for its cognomen, the musician found his inspiration in his hometown of Dublin, named after a hearing aid workshop, all things.

9
Harrington Kit

Kit Harrington and Rose Leslie
Refuge

Real name: Christopher Catesby Harington

TheGame Of Thrones The real name of star is Christopher Catesby Harington, but he did not know his namewas not Harrington Kit until he was 11 years old. He saidCharm: "The kit is traditionally an excessive pressure of Christopher, it is simply not used that often. My second first name is CatesBy." For more pairs like Harrington andPink Leslie, to verify15 couples on the screen you have totally forgotten dated in real life.

10
diesel wine

Vin Diesel
Shutterstock / Numfolio

Real name: Mark Sinclair

That's right, choose your jaw on the floor:diesel wine is not the nameon the birth certificate of the Star of Action. It was first given the much more traditional name of Mark Sinclair. Although the actor had not confirmed the origin of his stage name, he is supposed to take off from Vincent-the family name of the family when she came back from her mother and her own energetic personality. Another Hollywood legend is that he had to change his name to protect himself when he worked as a videor, pre-Stardom.

11
Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman
Refuge

Real name: Natalie Hershlag

For many years, the American actress IsraeliNatalie PortmanHas anyone doing agency work under his name,Natalie Hershlag. It was only by turningLuc Besson'sLeon In the early 1990s, she decided to go by Portman, taking her name as a paternal grandmother.

12
Kaling Mindy

Mindy Kaling, inspiring quotes
Refuge

Real name: Vera Chokalingam

Although the actressKaling Mindywas bornVera chokalingamShe always went through her second name, Mindy, even before Stardom. And when she started taking important roles, Mindy decided to shorten her last name to "Kaling", giving him the moniker that she uses today.

13
Winona Ryder

Winona Ryder red carpet
Andrea Raffin / Shutterstock

Real name: Winona Laura Horowitz

There was nothing wrong with the name Winona Laura Horowitz, of course, but theInterrupted girl The actress decided to take the name of surname Ryder anyway. The decision was rather satisfactory for Horowitz / Ryder, while his father has come to listen to aMitch Ryder album when her agent asked her how she wanted to becredited in the film of 1986Lucas.

14
Bruno Mars

musician bruno mars
Refuge

Real name: Peter Gene Herandez

"[The name of the scene] Bruno is afterBruno Sammartino, Who was this big big wrestler, "Bruno Mars, born Peter Gene Herandez, told theAssociated press. "I was this little Chunky baby, so my father called me as a nickname." And his last name? "Mars arrived because many girls say that I came out of this world!"

15
Shania TWAIN

Shania Twain Celebrities Who Won't Live in U.S.
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Real name: Éillen Edwards

Pop icon Éillen Edwards, better known asShania TWAIN,chose his last name In honor of his father-in-law Ojibwe,Jerry Twain. "Shania" is a name of Ojibwe meaning "on my way", even if the singer had neither confirmed nor refused she chose for that reason.

16
Ben Kingsley

actor Ben Kingsley real celebrity names
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Real name: Krishna Pandit Bhanji

Schindler's list andIron Man 3 actorSirBen KingsleyThe real name is reallyKrishna Pandit Bhanji. The star has changed its name before doing it on the list A, using the nickname of his father (Ben) and on the nickname of his grandfather (King Clove) to create his moniker.

17
Portia de Rossi

Portia de Rossi
Refuge

Real name: Amanda Lee Rogers

Although born Amanda Lee Rogers,Development stoppedactressPortia de Rossi Legally changed its name at the age of 15. In an interviewwithTheLawyerShe explained that she chose the name Portia after Shakespeare's character inThe merchant of Venice And Rossi because "I was Australian and I thought that an exotic Italian name sends me more than Amanda Rogers."

18
Michael Caine

Actor Michael Caine
Refuge

Real name: Maurice Micklewhite

His real name is Maurice Micklewhite, but actorMichael Caine goes through his stage name since 1954. And recently, the legend of the screen actuallymakes the name of official change, Noting that the airport security became too much hassle with two distinct names.

As for inspiration behindher name? Well, the Thespian originally wanted to be Michael Scott, but when a person of this name was already important in London where his career started, he changed "cate" after spying a poster for theHumphrey BogartvehicleThe cine mutiny.

19
WHOOPI GOLDBERG

Whoopi Goldberg funniest college classes
Refuge

Real name: Caryn Elaine Johnson

Once upon a time, this comedian was known by friends and family while Caryn Elaine Johnson. However, when she decided to try her luck in Hollywood, Caryn changed her name entirely, with whoopi coming from herFondness for flatulence and Goldberg of a Jewish ancestor.

20
Carmen Electra

actress Carmen Electra real celebrity names
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Real name: Tara Patrick

It was in 1991 that Tara Patrick becameCarmen Electra. That year, the aspiring actress meetsPrince, who told him that she looked like an Electra, while she was relayingYO show. Although it is hesitant to use the name at the beginning - "it sounded a bit like a kind of superhero name." - Carmen Electra Stuck, and the rest is Hollywood History.

21
Martin Sheen

actor Martin Sheen
Refuge

Real name: Ramon Gerard Estevez

Ramon Gerard Estevez has decided to adopt the professional monikeer ofMartin Sheen When he entered the actor world and realized that he was typed. As for what his name drift, Estevez chose Martin after his agent and Sheen in honor ofBishop Fulton J. Sheen. (And in case you wonder, it means thatCharlie SheenThe real surname is also honest and that Martin's his son,Emilio Estevez, stuck with the name he was born with.)

22
Emma Stone

Emma stone
Denis Makarenko / Shutterstock

Real name: Emily Stone

"My real name is Emily Stone, but when I started acting, this name was already taken by another actress, so I had to find another:"Emma Stone explained toTO Magazine About his moniker. Originally, she opted for riley, but after hearing the name aloud on the whole ofMalcolm in the middleShe realized that it was not adapted at all.

23
Gene Simmons

Gene Simmons
Refuge

Real name: Chaim Witz

When his family immigrated to Israel America,Gene Simmons changed his nameChaim Witz in Gene Klein. Finally, Klein decided to take simmons for professional purposes.

24
Gigi Hadid

Gigi Hadid
Refuge

Real name: Jelena Hadid

Although its real name is Jelena Hadiid, this Supermodel went by Gigi from primary school. She explained toVogue: "In the first or second year, there was a girl named Helena and he took place with the teacher who was to call our names. Then the teacher asked my mother:" If I needed to call Jelena a nickname, what would he be? 'And my mother was like: "I sometimes call it" and the name stuck. "

25
Julianne Moore

Julianne Moore
Denis Makarenko / Shutterstock

Real name: Julie Smith

"When I went to join the guild of the screen actor, like Julie Smith, they were like:" There is a Julie Smith, there is a Julie Anne Smith. You have to choose another name, "" The actress explained toThe Hollywood journalist. "My father's name was Peter Moore Smith, and my mother's name was Anne Smith, [then] I used both their names so that I would not hurt the feelings of anyone."

26
Lord

Lorde singer
Refuge

Real name: Ella Yelich-O'Connor

Its real name is Ella Yelich-O'Connor, but unless you are his close friend or classmate, it is more likely that you know by his stage name,Lord. The singer has concocted the moniker at only 16 years old,explain60 minutes She "loved the way the Lord rings, but I wanted to" add an e for femininizing ".

27
Jamie Foxx

Jamie Foxx
Photo -Flash / Shutterstock agency

Real name: Eric Marlon Bishop

When he had ambitions to play for the cowboys of Dallas or become a professional pianist,Eric Marlon Bishop had no problem using his name given. It is only when the bishop started to happen in the comedy clubs in 1989 that he took the name of Jamie Foxx (afterRedd Foxx), hoping to be confused for a woman. See, at the time, women have often been called to the scene in front of the male comics and Foxx simply did not have the patience to wait for a later slot.

28
Jonah Hill

Jonah Hill
Refuge

Real name: Jonah Feldstein

ActorJonah HillThe surname is actually Feldstein, but why he chooses not to use his given last name is a mystery. When a journalist fromThe Guardian asked the hill of his decision "his palpable self-control" down "and he simply answered," Can we just not? " His sister actorBeanie Feldsteinuses their real last last name, though that's why you may not have understood that theBooksStar is his brother.

29
Meg Ryan

Meg Ryan
Refuge

Real name: Margaret Hyra

When you register for SAG,Margaret Hyra abandoned his last name In favor of his name as a maternal grandmother's girl, Ryan.

30
Elvis Costello

Put your big toe in the milk of human kindness
Columbia

Real name: Declan Patrick McManus

As you could imagine, the rock king and roll has something to do withElvis CostelloThe scene name. BornDeclan Patrick McManus, the maestro originally passed by D.P. Costello, with the surname from his fatherCOSTELLO DAY. When he went Solo, the Rocker changed D.P. to Elvis.

31
Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston
Refuge

Real name: Jennifer Linn Anastassakis

Somewhere along the way,Jennifer Linn Anastassakis to have becomeJennifer Aniston. How? 'Or' What? His family changed his last name to "Aniston" on theon the advice of the godfather of Jennifer, actorTély Savalas.

32
Larry King

Larry King
Refuge

Real name: Lawrence Zeiger

Lawrence Zeiger to have becomeLarry KingWhile working in a small radio station in Miami Beach. Although there, the general manager of the station told him that his surname was too ethnic, and therefore a few minutes before going to the air, he chose the name of King, taking him from An advertisement in King's Wholesale's wholesale drink diary.

33
Ringo Starr

Ringo Starr
S_BUKLEY / SHUTTERSTOCK

Real name: Richard Starkey

He can go byRingo Starr, cornThe real name of the drummer is actually Richard Starkey. With regard to the origins of his chosen title, Ringo was inspired by the golden ring he always wore and Starr came from his former colleagues, who called his drum "Starr Time" as a game on his name family.

34
Olivia Wilde

actress olivia wilde funniest pregnancy quotes
Refuge

Real name: Olivia Cockburn

After playing Gwendolen in the production of his high school ofOscar Wilde.The importance of being constant,Olivia Cockburn decided to change his last name in Wilde.

35
Elton John

Elton John royal wedding
Refuge

Name: Reginald Dwight

January 7, 1972,Reginald Dwight has legally changed his name ToElton John, Pay tribute to the old Bluesology BandMembersElton Dean andLong John Baldry. The story is told in the recent biographical film on the legend,Rocketman.

36
Frank ocean

Frank Ocean
Refuge

Name: Christopher Edwin Breaux

Christopher Edwin Breaux has changed his nameChristopher Francis Ocean In 2014. Later, the singer shortened toFrank ocean. He saidComplexFrom his decision, "he just felt cool. None of us are our names. If you do not do it like your name, then change your name. »

37
Katy Perry

Katy Perry
Refuge

Name: Kathern Hudson

Katheryn Hudson adopted the nicknameKaty Perry because she did not want to be confused withKate Hudson.Perry is the name of his mother's young girl.

38
Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj grammys red carpet style fails
Refuge

Name: Onika Tanya Maraj

In fact, it was not the idea of ​​Onika Tanya Maraj change his nameNicki Minaj. "One of the first production deals I was signing, the guy wanted my name to be Minaj and I fought the beak and nails," said MinajThe Guardian. "But he convinced me. I have always hated it. »

39
Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise
Refuge

Name: Thomas Mapother IV

Born Thomas Mapother IV, this star of action was pleased to pay his name from the Father and Last Alienea instead of using his first name when he renamesTom Cruise. For this reason, you can not realize that it is linked toLostactorWILLIAM MAPOTHER-Son cousin Germain.

40
Rihanna

Rihanna Grammys
Refuge

Name: Robyn Rihanna Fenty

Although born Robyn Fenty, this singer soulfulous goes through his first name,Rihanna. However, if you are a fan of Barbadienne-born beauty, then you probably have already known his last name, since it is also the name of hisCosmetics and lingerie lines.

41
Ludacris

Ludacris celebrity facts
Refuge

Name: Christopher Brian Bridges

Christopher Brian Bridges would have taken the scene nameLudacris To honor the name of his parents chose for him. In a AMA reddit, he answered a question abouthis stage name By saying, "My name is" Chris "and if you look in the dictionary under the term" laughing "it means" crazy, wild, ridicus'-what explains everything good about me. »

42
Future

Future
Refuge

Name: Nayvadius Demun Wilburn

This true name of the Atlanta rapper is Nayvadius Demun Wilburn, but he prefers to go byFuture. According to an interview he made withMtv, The name was given to him byG-rock, Member of the musical collective Dungeon Family, when he told a young Wilburn, "You are the future. You are the future. You are a young man. You have energy. Are ambitious. You are the future of the Dungeon Family ".

43
Miley Cyrus

Miley cyrus red carpet
Refuge

Name: Destiny Hope Cyrus

When Destiny Hope Cyrus was a baby,His family called his "smiley". She dropped the "S" and legally changed his nameMiley Ray Cyrus In 2008, both keep his last name and honor his father, singerBilly Ray Cyrus, In the process. She has legally changed his name again whenshe got marriedLiam HemsworthBut the stars have divorced since.

44
SNOOP Dogg

Snoop Dogg
Refuge

Name: Calvin Broadus Jr.

As you have already guessed,SNOOP Dogg is not the real name of the rapper. Born Calvin Broadus Jr., his nickname "Snoop Dogg" comes from the fact that, like a child, his mother said he looked like Snoopy, Charlie Brown canine acolyte. "I lovedPeanut andCharlie Brown-Snoopy was my favorite cartoon character growing, "said SnoopSquire. "I was watching so much, I started looking like him. »

45
Calvin Harris

DJ Calvin Harris
Refuge

Name: Adam Wiles

Calvin Harris took a little bulletproof for the reasoning behind his stage name. DJ, born Adam Wiles, saiddigital spy: "My first single was more than one track of the soul, and I thought Calvin Harris seemed a little more ambiguous racist, I thought people might not know if I was black or not after that, I ' was stuck with ... "

46
Nina Dobrev

Ian Somerhalder, Nina Dobreb, and Paul Wesley
Refuge

Name: Nikolina Konstantinova Dobreva

When she started to make a name for herself in Hollywood, the actress of Bulgarian origin nikolina konstantinova dobrevashortcut his nameNina Dobrev, In the hope of making it more pronounceable and Americanized.

47
David Tennant

David Tennant
Shutterstock / Lev Radin

Name: David John McDonald

TheDoctor WhoandOverallstars could not go through his nameDavid McDonaldBecause there was another actor working with this name. So, he saidThe Late Late ShowhostJames CordenHe turned to a magazine of inspiration music. While 16, he ended up "a kind of" name after himselfPet Shop Boys MemberNeil Tennant. "I could have been anything," he joked. "Bojangles Macduff."

48
ALICIA keys

Alicia Keys
Shutterstock / DPrade

Real name: Alicia Agello-Cook

Given his incredible talent, it's not surprisingALICIA keysadopted such a musical phase name. Born Alicia Agello-Cook, the writer and the interpreter first considered using "wild" as stage name. His mother, she saidNewsweek, says thatAlicia Wild rings like "a stripper" And so she moved.

49
Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix
Shutterstock / Kathy Hutchins

Real name: Joaquín Rafael Background

Although his name given by Joaquín Rafael Bott, the winning actor of the Oscar and his family have changed a surname at the symbolic phoenix when he was always a young child, afterThey left a strict religious sect. Early in his actor career,Joaquin PhoenixI went through the name "Leaf", to be in line with his brother artist and his rain, but changed it when he was still a teenager.

50
Lana del Rey

Lana Del Rey
Shutterstock / FeatureFlash Photo Agency

Real name: Elizabeth Woolridge Grant

Elizabeth Woolridge Grant does not really have the same ring of the old HollywoodLana del Rey, And that was the goal. "I wanted a name I could shape the music towards," said the musicianVogue. "I was going a lot to Miami at the time, speaking a lot of Spanish with my friends from Cuba-Lana del Rey reminded us Glamor from the seaside. It seemed beautiful to get out of the tongue. "


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