Music has always loved a memorable name. Some performers simplify a long name, some build an entirely new persona, and a smaller number make the change legal. Here are the stories behind more than 100 famous music names.
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.
Freddie Mercury was born or originally known as Farrokh Bulsara and became famous under a different professional name. Queen frontman.
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.
Cliff Richard was originally named Harry Rodger Webb and the change was publicly reported as legal. Legally changed by deed poll.
Sting was born or originally known as Gordon Matthew Sumner and became famous under a different professional name. Nickname from a yellow-and-black striped jumper.
Adam Ant was born or originally known as Stuart Leslie Goddard and became famous under a different professional name. Adam and the Ants frontman.
Boy George was born or originally known as George Alan O'Dowd and became famous under a different professional name. Culture Club frontman.
Gary Numan was born or originally known as Gary Anthony James Webb and became famous under a different professional name. Electronic pioneer.
Marc Bolan was born or originally known as Mark Feld and became famous under a different professional name. T. Rex frontman.
George Michael was born or originally known as Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou and became famous under a different professional name. Wham! and solo star.
Seal was born or originally known as Henry Olusegun Adeola Samuel and became famous under a different professional name. Mononym stage name.
Engelbert Humperdinck was born or originally known as Arnold George Dorsey and became famous under a different professional name. Took the name of the German opera composer.
Tom Jones was born or originally known as Thomas John Woodward and became famous under a different professional name. Named after the film Tom Jones.
Lulu was born or originally known as Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie and became famous under a different professional name. Mononym.
Cilla Black was born or originally known as Priscilla Maria Veronica White and became famous under a different professional name. Surname reportedly changed by a music paper misprint, kept it.
Dusty Springfield was born or originally known as Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien and became famous under a different professional name. Soul singer.
Billy Idol was born or originally known as William Michael Albert Broad and became famous under a different professional name. Punk and rock singer.
Ozzy Osbourne was born or originally known as John Michael Osbourne and became famous under a different professional name. Ozzy is a lifelong nickname.
Ringo Starr was born or originally known as Richard Starkey and became famous under a different professional name. Beatles drummer.
Johnny Rotten was born or originally known as John Joseph Lydon and became famous under a different professional name. Sex Pistols frontman.
Sid Vicious was born or originally known as John Simon Ritchie and became famous under a different professional name. Sex Pistols bassist.
Adele uses a one-name professional identity based on the birth name Adele Laurie Blue Adkins. Uses first name only.
Dido uses a one-name professional identity based on the birth name Dido Florian Cloud de Bounevialle O'Malley Armstrong. Uses first name only.
Slash was born or originally known as Saul Hudson and became famous under a different professional name. Guns N' Roses guitarist.
Elvis Costello was born or originally known as Declan Patrick MacManus and became famous under a different professional name. Adopted Elvis as a stage first name.
Cher was originally named Cherilyn Sarkisian and the change was publicly reported as legal. Legally changed her name to just Cher.
Madonna uses a one-name professional identity based on the birth name Madonna Louise Ciccone. Uses her real first name only.
Prince is associated with an unusual public name or symbol adopted by Prince Rogers Nelson. Changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol in the 1990s.
Rihanna was born or originally known as Robyn Rihanna Fenty and became famous under a different professional name. Goes by her middle name.
Shakira uses a one-name professional identity based on the birth name Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll. Uses first name only.
Sia uses a one-name professional identity based on the birth name Sia Kate Isobelle Furler. Singer-songwriter.
Lorde was born or originally known as Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O'Connor and became famous under a different professional name. Adopted a regal-themed stage name.
Flea was born or originally known as Michael Peter Balzary and became famous under a different professional name. Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist.
Drake was born Aubrey Drake Graham and uses a middle name professionally. Goes by his middle name.
Bono was born or originally known as Paul David Hewson and became famous under a different professional name. U2 frontman.
The Edge was born or originally known as David Howell Evans and became famous under a different professional name. U2 guitarist.
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.
Marilyn Manson was born or originally known as Brian Hugh Warner and became famous under a different professional name. Combined Marilyn Monroe and Charles Manson.
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.
Katy Perry was born or originally known as Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson and became famous under a different professional name. Used her mother's maiden name to avoid confusion with actress Kate Hudson.
Bruno Mars was born or originally known as Peter Gene Hernandez and became famous under a different professional name. Bruno was a childhood nickname.
Pink was born or originally known as Alecia Beth Moore and became famous under a different professional name. Mononym stage 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.
Iggy Pop was born or originally known as James Newell Osterberg Jr. and became famous under a different professional name. Punk godfather.
Chuck Berry was born or originally known as Charles Edward Anderson Berry and became famous under a different professional name. Rock and roll pioneer.
Buddy Holly was born or originally known as Charles Hardin Holley and became famous under a different professional name. Surname respelled after a contract typo.
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.
Halsey was born or originally known as Ashley Nicolette Frangipane and became famous under a different professional name. Halsey is an anagram of Ashley and also references Halsey Street in Brooklyn.
Jay-Z was born or originally known as Shawn Corey Carter and became famous under a different professional name. Rapper and mogul.
Eminem was born or originally known as Marshall Bruce Mathers III and became famous under a different professional name. Name derived from his initials M and M.
Snoop Dogg was born or originally known as Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. and became famous under a different professional name. Also briefly Snoop Lion.
Dr. Dre was born or originally known as Andre Romelle Young and became famous under a different professional name. Producer and rapper.
Ice Cube was born or originally known as O'Shea Jackson and became famous under a different professional name. Rapper and actor.
Ice-T was born or originally known as Tracy Lauren Marrow and became famous under a different professional name. Rapper and actor.
50 Cent was born or originally known as Curtis James Jackson III and became famous under a different professional name. Rapper and businessman.
Nas was born or originally known as Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones and became famous under a different professional name. Rapper.
Common was born or originally known as Lonnie Rashid Lynn and became famous under a different professional name. Rapper and actor.
Ludacris was born or originally known as Christopher Brian Bridges and became famous under a different professional name. Rapper and actor.
Nelly was born or originally known as Cornell Iral Haynes Jr. and became famous under a different professional name. Rapper.
Diddy was born or originally known as Sean John Combs and became famous under a different professional name. Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, Diddy and Love over the years.
Lil Wayne was born or originally known as Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. and became famous under a different professional name. Rapper.
Cardi B was born or originally known as Belcalis Marlenis Almanzar and became famous under a different professional name. Rapper.
Nicki Minaj was born or originally known as Onika Tanya Maraj and became famous under a different professional name. Rapper.
Travis Scott was born or originally known as Jacques Bermon Webster II and became famous under a different professional name. Rapper.
Post Malone was born or originally known as Austin Richard Post and became famous under a different professional name. Rapper and singer.
Childish Gambino was born or originally known as Donald McKinley Glover and became famous under a different professional name. Musician and actor.
Method Man was born or originally known as Clifford Smith Jr. and became famous under a different professional name. Wu-Tang Clan.
Ol' Dirty Bastard was born or originally known as Russell Tyrone Jones and became famous under a different professional name. Wu-Tang Clan.
RZA was born or originally known as Robert Fitzgerald Diggs and became famous under a different professional name. Wu-Tang Clan leader.
Flavor Flav was born or originally known as William Jonathan Drayton Jr. and became famous under a different professional name. Public Enemy.
Chuck D was born or originally known as Carlton Douglas Ridenhour and became famous under a different professional name. Public Enemy.
Missy Elliott was born or originally known as Melissa Arnette Elliott and became famous under a different professional name. Rapper and producer.
Queen Latifah was born or originally known as Dana Elaine Owens and became famous under a different professional name. Rapper and actress.
MC Hammer was born or originally known as Stanley Kirk Burrell and became famous under a different professional name. Rapper.
The Notorious B.I.G. was born or originally known as Christopher George Latore Wallace and became famous under a different professional name. Also Biggie Smalls.
will.i.am was born or originally known as William James Adams and became famous under a different professional name. Black Eyed Peas.
Wiz Khalifa was born or originally known as Cameron Jibril Thomaz and became famous under a different professional name. Rapper.
Doja Cat was born or originally known as Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini and became famous under a different professional name. Rapper and singer.
Stormzy was born or originally known as Michael Ebenazer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr. and became famous under a different professional name. Grime and rap star.
Dizzee Rascal was born or originally known as Dylan Kwabena Mills and became famous under a different professional name. Grime pioneer.
Tinie Tempah was born or originally known as Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu and became famous under a different professional name. Rapper.
Wiley was born or originally known as Richard Kylea Cowie and became famous under a different professional name. Godfather of grime.
Skepta was born or originally known as Joseph Junior Adenuga and became famous under a different professional name. Grime artist.
Kano was born or originally known as Kane Robinson and became famous under a different professional name. Rapper and actor.
Example was born or originally known as Elliot John Gleave and became famous under a different professional name. Rapper and singer.
Plan B was born or originally known as Benjamin Paul Ballance-Drew and became famous under a different professional name. Rapper and actor.
Professor Green was born or originally known as Stephen Paul Manderson and became famous under a different professional name. Rapper.
Deadmau5 was born or originally known as Joel Thomas Zimmerman and became famous under a different professional name. Electronic producer.
Skrillex was born or originally known as Sonny John Moore and became famous under a different professional name. Producer.
Moby was born or originally known as Richard Melville Hall and became famous under a different professional name. Nicknamed after Moby-Dick.
Fatboy Slim was born or originally known as Norman Quentin Cook and became famous under a different professional name. Also born Quentin Cook, later Norman.
Tiesto was born or originally known as Tijs Michiel Verwest and became famous under a different professional name. DJ.
Avicii was born or originally known as Tim Bergling and became famous under a different professional name. DJ and producer.
Zedd was born or originally known as Anton Zaslavski and became famous under a different professional name. Producer.
Marshmello was born or originally known as Christopher Comstock and became famous under a different professional name. Masked producer.
Calvin Harris was born or originally known as Adam Richard Wiles and became famous under a different professional name. DJ and producer.
Diplo was born or originally known as Thomas Wesley Pentz and became famous under a different professional name. Producer.
Dame Nellie Melba was born or originally known as Helen Porter Mitchell and became famous under a different professional name. Took her name from Melbourne.
Maria Callas was born or originally known as Maria Anna Cecilia Sofia Kalogeropoulos and became famous under a different professional name. Legendary soprano.
Common reasons include creating a memorable brand, shortening or simplifying a name, separating private life from public life, and building a persona that suits the music.
No. Most entries are professional stage names. The page labels confirmed legal changes separately so a stage identity is not mistaken for a legal name.
A mononym is a single-word name, such as Cher, Adele or Prince. It may be a birth first name, an invented stage name or, in rarer cases, a legal one-word name.
Yes. A deed poll is usually only needed when the person wants the chosen name reflected on legal documents and official records.
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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