14 Celebs Who Gave up Their Real Names for Stardom
A celebrity's name represents much more than just a moniker to roll in the movie credits — it embodies their identity, their brand, their persona — and yes, it can even represent a fresh start. Let's explore some of the most interesting name changes in Hollywood — and the reasons behind them.
1. Freddie Mercury
Original Name: Farrokh Bulsara
Why the Change: When he joined the iconic music group Queen, Farrokh Bulsara decided to adopt the name Freddie Mercury — a choice that reflected his powerful stage presence and the larger-than-life persona he would become known for. The name change helped Mercury fully embrace his role as a rock icon.
Freddie Mercury performing at New Haven Coliseum in New Haven, CT, 1977. Photo by Carl Lender under CC BY-SA 3.0.
2. Jamie Foxx
Original Name: Eric Marlon Bishop
Why the Change: Many people associate Jamie Foxx's name with immense talent in both acting and music. But before he became a household name, Eric Marlon Bishop changed his name to Jamie Foxx to increase his chances of getting called up first during stand-up comedy performances — female comedians were rare, and they were more likely to get picked for open mics. He believed the gender-neutral name made him stand out, and it also paid homage to comedian Redd Foxx.
3. Lady Gaga
Original Name: Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta
Why the Change: Stefani Germanotta transformed into Lady Gaga as she began to craft her unique brand in the music industry. Inspired by the Queen song "Radio Ga Ga," the name Lady Gaga helped the musician stand out as a bold, avant-garde artist, leading to her immense success in pop music.
Lady Gaga at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival. Photo courtesy of John Bauld under CC BY 2.0.
4. Olivia Wilde
Original Name: Olivia Jane Cockburn
Why the Change: Olivia Jane Cockburn adopted the stage name Oliva Wilde as a tribute to one of her favorite authors, Oscar Wilde. The change not only honored her literary inspiration but also gave her a distinctive, memorable name that has served her well in her acting career.
5. Katy Perry
Original Name: Katheryn Hudson
Why the Change: Katheryn Hudson changed her name to Katy Perry to avoid confusion with actress Kate Hudson. Adopting her mother's maiden name instead helped Perry establish a distinct identity in the music industry, leading to her breakthrough success with hits like "I Kissed a Girl."
Katy Perry at the Premiere of the movie Part of Me in Sydney 2012. Photo courtesy of Liam Mendes under CC BY-SA 2.0.
6. Miley Cyrus
Original Name: Destiny Hope Cyrus
Why the Change: Now known to the world as Miley Cyrus, the future star's parents actually named her Destiny Hope Cyrus at birth. In 2008, two years after the Disney show "Hannah Montana" premiered, she changed her first name to Miley (a childhood nickname derived from "Smiley"). The name change helped her transition from her "Hannah Montana" persona to her own independent career.
7. Bruno Mars
Original Name: Peter Gene Hernandez
Why the Change: With a nickname given by his father (because as a toddler he looked like wrestler Bruno Sammartino) and a surname chosen to evoke an out-of-this-world persona, Bruno Mars exploded onto the music scene. The name change allowed the former Peter Gene Hernandez to stand out in the music world with a catchy and unique name that matched his energetic performance style.
Bruno Mars performing live during his 24K Magic World Tour, 2017. Photo courtesy of slgckgc under CC BY 4.0.
8. John Legend
Original Name: John Roger Stephens
Why the Change: The name John Legend actually began as a nickname given by friends, referencing the musician's old-school sound that reminded them of musical legends from the past. The nickname stuck, and soon enough, John Roger Stephens became known to the world as John Legend — a name that has become synonymous with smooth, soulful music.
9. Meg Ryan
Original Name: Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra
Why the Change: Rom-com star Meg Ryan ditched her exceptionally long birth name to create a more memorable and marketable name in Hollywood. By shortening Margaret to Meg and adopting her grandmother's maiden name, the actress fashioned a screen name as cute and memorable as she is. Surely this name played a key role in helping Ryan land lead roles in iconic romantic comedies such as "When Harry Met Sally" and "Sleepless in Seattle."
Meg Ryan at the Cannes film festival, 2010. Photo courtesy of Georges Biard under CC BY-SA 3.0.
10. Kirk Douglas
Original Name: Issur Danielovitch
Why the Change: To make it in Hollywood, Issur Danielovitch changed his foreign name to the more American-sounding name Kirk Douglas. He later expressed regret for this change — especially because it distanced him from his Jewish heritage. Nevertheless, the name change likely played a crucial role in Douglas' rise to fame, helping him become one of the most prolific actors of his time.
11. Elton John
Original Name: Reginald Kenneth Dwight
Why the Change: In the early 1970s, Reginald Kenneth Dwight became Elton John, a name inspired by two members of his early band, Bluesology — saxophonist Elton Dean and singer Long John Baldry. This new identity allowed the musician to craft a flamboyant and memorable persona that matched his legendary music career.
Elton John, 2023. Photo courtesy of Raph_PH under CC BY 2.0.
12. Dove Cameron
Original Name: Chloe Celeste Hoffman
Why the Change: Dove Cameron changed her birth name as a tribute to her late father, who called her "Dove" as a nickname. The change helped her honor her father's memory, and it also became an integral part of her identity as she rose to fame as a Disney® Channel star.
13. Vanilla Ice
Original Name: Robert Van Winkle
Why the Change: Robert Van Winkle's friends gave him the nickname Vanilla Ice — "Vanilla" referred to his complexion, and "Ice" referenced a breakdancing move he performed. The name change played a crucial role in the musician's rise to fame with the hit "Ice Ice Baby," making him a pop culture phenomenon in the early 1990s.
14. Joaquin Phoenix
Original Name: Joaquin Rafael Bottom
Why the Change: Born Joaquin Rafael Bottom, he briefly adopted the name Leaf as a child to match his siblings' nature-inspired names (River, Summer, Liberty, Rain), which reflected his family's connection to the natural world.
After his parents left the religious cult Children of God, they changed their last name to Phoenix, symbolizing a fresh start.
Joaquin eventually returned to his birth name in his teens, a decision that coincided with his rise in Hollywood. Reclaiming his original name helped him establish a serious and respected identity, leading to critical acclaim in films like "Gladiator" and "To Die For."
Joaquin Phoenix at the 81st Venice International Film Festival. Photo by Harald Krichel under CC BY-SA 4.0.
For these 14 celebrities, adopting a new name wasn't just about rebranding; it was about crafting an identity that resonated with their ambitions, talents and the public. And that's why today, they are all household names.
References: Jon Bon Jovi, Jennifer Aniston and 28 Other Celebrities Who Changed Their Names | 42 Famous People's Real First Names That Are Just Kind Of Jarring To See | 20 celebrities who changed their legal names for a chance at fame | Silliest Celebrity Name Changes | What was Freddie Mercury's real name and why did he change it?
