Who was born with a completely different name? Which stars made the change legal, and which simply created a brilliant stage identity? Explore more than 216 famous name stories, organised by profession and type.
Each category has its own focused guide, clear definitions and concise answers that make it easy to understand the difference between a birth name, professional identity and legal change.
Try a famous name or a birth name, such as Lady Gaga, Stefani Germanotta, David Tennant or Eric Blair.
Discover the birth names, stage names and legal name changes of famous actors and actresses, from classic Hollywood to modern British television.
53 name stories →Explore the real, birth and original names behind famous singers, rappers, DJs and bands, with clear labels for stage names and legal changes.
102 name stories →The birth names and stage identities of British television presenters, comedians, reality stars and famous entertainment personas.
13 name stories →Famous sports name changes, ring names and legal rebrands, including boxing legends, wrestlers, basketball players and British sporting personalities.
16 name stories →The real names behind famous authors and literary pen names, including George Orwell, George Eliot, Mark Twain, the Brontes and modern publishing aliases.
23 name stories →Famous people whose name changes went beyond a stage name and were publicly reported as legal changes, including musicians, actors, writers and sports stars.
28 name stories →Why stars such as Cher, Prince, Rihanna, Lorde and Ye use one name, a symbol or a striking public identity.
20 name stories →We do not use "real name" as though a chosen or legally changed name is somehow less real. Every entry instead identifies the birth or original name, the public name and the type of change. Professional stage names, pen names, ring names, mononyms and confirmed legal changes are labelled separately.
Some were practical, some deeply personal, and some were simply too good not to use.
Elton John was originally named Reginald Kenneth Dwight and the change was publicly reported as legal. Legally changed to Elton Hercules John in 1972.
Read the full entry →Lady Gaga was born or originally known as Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta and became famous under a different professional name. Named after the Queen song Radio Ga Ga.
Read the full entry →David Bowie was born or originally known as David Robert Jones and became famous under a different professional name. Changed to avoid confusion with Davy Jones of The Monkees.
Read the full entry →Marilyn Monroe was born or originally known as Norma Jeane Mortenson and became famous under a different professional name. Screen icon.
Read the full entry →Michael Caine was originally named Maurice Joseph Micklewhite and the change was publicly reported as legal. Legally changed to Michael Caine, inspired by The Caine Mutiny.
Read the full entry →David Tennant was originally named David John McDonald and the change was publicly reported as legal. Adopted Tennant because another David McDonald was already registered with Equity, and later legally changed his surname.
Read the full entry →Rylan Clark was born or originally known as Ross Richard Clark and became famous under a different professional name. Goes by Rylan.
Read the full entry →Muhammad Ali was originally named Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. and the change was publicly reported as legal. Changed his name after joining the Nation of Islam.
Read the full entry →George Orwell is the pen name used by Eric Arthur Blair. Author of 1984.
Read the full entry →Cher was originally named Cherilyn Sarkisian and the change was publicly reported as legal. Legally changed her name to just Cher.
Read the full entry →Lana Del Rey was born or originally known as Elizabeth Woolridge Grant and became famous under a different professional name. Developed the Lana Del Rey identity after performing under several earlier names, including Lizzy Grant.
Read the full entry →bell hooks is the pen name used by Gloria Jean Watkins. Adopted the name of her great-grandmother and styled it in lowercase to keep attention on the work rather than the author.
Read the full entry →Acting unions and professional databases often require performers to use a distinct working name.
A memorable name can fit on a poster, sound better on the radio or suit a carefully created persona.
Some people separate their career from a famous family name or from a relationship they no longer want to define them.
For some, a name change marks a significant personal, cultural or spiritual change rather than a marketing decision.
Reasons include creating a memorable stage identity, avoiding a clash with another performer, shortening or anglicising a name, protecting privacy, marking a personal change, or separating different kinds of work.
Usually not. A stage name can be used professionally without changing a passport, driving licence or other official records. Confirmed legal changes are labelled separately throughout this hub.
Birth name describes the name recorded at birth. Real name can be misleading because a legally changed or chosen name is also real. These pages therefore use birth name, original name, professional name and legal name more precisely.
Generally, yes. An adult may adopt a chosen name, and can use an unenrolled deed poll when they want official organisations to recognise it, provided the change is not for fraud or another unlawful purpose.
No. An adult can create an unenrolled deed poll for free. A paid service is optional if you want the document drafted, printed and posted for you.
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