A stage name can be used professionally without becoming somebody's legal identity. The people on this page are included because their change has been publicly described as legal, although the exact legal process varies by country.
A stage name, pen name, ring name or mononym can be used publicly without replacing the person's legal identity. We use precise labels so a professional name is not accidentally presented as a legal change.
A name used publicly for work. It may never appear on official documents.
A change reported as having been formalised through the legal process available in that country.
A publishing or sporting identity, usually separate from the person's legal name.
A one-word name, nickname or middle name used as the public identity.
Elton John was originally named Reginald Kenneth Dwight and the change was publicly reported as legal. Legally changed to Elton Hercules John in 1972.
Cliff Richard was originally named Harry Rodger Webb and the change was publicly reported as legal. Legally changed by deed poll.
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.
Cher was originally named Cherilyn Sarkisian and the change was publicly reported as legal. Legally changed her name to just Cher.
Ye was originally named Kanye Omari West and the change was publicly reported as legal. Legally changed his full name to Ye in 2021.
Warrior was originally named James Brian Hellwig and the change was publicly reported as legal. The Ultimate Warrior legally changed his name to Warrior in 1993.
Alice Cooper was originally named Vincent Damon Furnier and the change was publicly reported as legal. Legally changed his name to his band's name.
Miley Cyrus was originally named Destiny Hope Cyrus and the change was publicly reported as legal. Legally changed to Miley Ray Cyrus.
Nikki Sixx was originally named Frank Carlton Serafino Feranna Jr. and the change was publicly reported as legal. Motley Crue bassist.
Meat Loaf was originally named Marvin Lee Aday and the change was publicly reported as legal. Reportedly legally changed his first name to Michael.
Bob Dylan was originally named Robert Allen Zimmerman and the change was publicly reported as legal. Legally changed his name in 1962.
Nicolas Cage was originally named Nicolas Kim Coppola and the change was publicly reported as legal. Nephew of Francis Ford Coppola, took Cage to avoid nepotism.
Kirk Douglas was originally named Issur Danielovitch and the change was publicly reported as legal. Changed to Kirk Douglas before his acting career.
Portia de Rossi was originally named Amanda Lee Rogers and the change was publicly reported as legal. Legally changed her name at 15.
Woody Allen was originally named Allan Stewart Konigsberg and the change was publicly reported as legal. Filmmaker and comedian.
Jon Stewart was originally named Jonathan Stuart Leibowitz and the change was publicly reported as legal. Legally changed his surname.
Albert Brooks was originally named Albert Lawrence Einstein and the change was publicly reported as legal. Changed to avoid sharing a name with the physicist.
Larry King was originally named Lawrence Harvey Zeiger and the change was publicly reported as legal. Broadcaster.
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.
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.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was originally named Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. and the change was publicly reported as legal. Changed name after converting to Islam.
Ahmad Rashad was originally named Bobby Moore and the change was publicly reported as legal. NFL player, converted to Islam.
Metta World Peace was originally named Ronald William Artest Jr. and the change was publicly reported as legal. Later Metta Sandiford-Artest.
Chad Ochocinco was originally named Chad Javon Johnson and the change was publicly reported as legal. Later reverted to Johnson.
Stone Cold Steve Austin was originally named Steven James Anderson and the change was publicly reported as legal. Later legally Steve Austin.
Stan Lee was originally named Stanley Martin Lieber and the change was publicly reported as legal. Marvel co-creator, legally adopted his pen name.
Pablo Neruda was originally named Ricardo Eliecer Neftali Reyes Basoalto and the change was publicly reported as legal. Poet, legally adopted his pen name.
John Lennon was originally named John Winston Lennon and the change was publicly reported as legal. Added Ono to become John Winston Ono Lennon after marrying Yoko.
A legal change means the person's official identity was changed through the process available in their country, rather than the new name being used only for work.
No. The people are from different countries and used different legal processes. A deed poll is a UK mechanism and should not be assumed for American or other international celebrities.
Yes. David Tennant and Michael Caine are examples of performers whose professional names were later reported as legal names.
Adults generally have broad freedom to choose a new name, but it must not be used for fraud, deception or another unlawful purpose.
These links support selected additions and key examples. The wider list was built from the research spreadsheet supplied for this project and editorially reorganised for clarity.
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