Celebrities Who Had to Change Their Nam

Some famous faces were not born with the names you know today. Many had to make adjustments for practical reasons like union rules that prevent duplicate names. Others adapted to stage traditions where a simpler or more distinctive name helps audiences remember them.

These changes can also reflect personal history. Family choices, cultural backgrounds, and early career moves often shaped the names that eventually became household staples. Here are twenty examples of stars who switched names on the way to success.

Elton John

He was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight in England. Early in his career he combined the first names of two bandmates to form a new stage identity. The change created a short and memorable name that fit on record sleeves and posters.

He later made Elton Hercules John his legal name. The new identity appeared on contracts and credits and it aligned with how fans already knew him from performances and releases.

Lady Gaga

She was born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta in New York. Early collaborators began calling her by a nickname that nodded to a well known song by the band Queen. The stage name stuck in small club gigs and built recognition.

She adopted Lady Gaga professionally before her debut album. All branding and credits used the new name which helped create a distinct pop persona that audiences could identify instantly.

Jamie Foxx

He was born Eric Marlon Bishop in Texas. As a young stand up he noticed that female comedians were often called first at open mics. He chose a unisex stage name to improve his chances of getting stage time.

He kept Jamie Foxx as his screen credit as acting roles followed. The name appeared consistently on television and film projects which helped build continuity across different parts of his career.

Whoopi Goldberg

She was born Caryn Elaine Johnson. Early in her stage work she used a playful nickname that came from a noisy prop used by performers during rehearsals. She later paired it with a distinctive surname to create a complete stage identity.

Whoopi Goldberg became the name used on screen credits and awards. The change provided a single professional identity across comedy, film, and theater and simplified how audiences and industry contacts referred to her.

Natalie Portman

She was born Neta Lee Hershlag in Israel. When she began acting as a child she adopted her grandmother’s maiden name for professional use. The change helped maintain privacy for her family while she worked on set.

She has continued to use Natalie Portman across all film credits and public records related to her career. The consistent use of one professional name made contracts and international releases straightforward.

Joaquin Phoenix

He was born Joaquín Rafael Bottom. His family later adopted the surname Phoenix which symbolized a new beginning after a significant life change. The children transitioned to the new family name during their early acting years.

Joaquin briefly used the first name Leaf as a child actor. He eventually returned to Joaquin and has used Joaquin Phoenix as his full professional credit in all modern work which keeps archival records clear.

Meg Ryan

She was born Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra. Early in her career she shortened her first name for on screen credits and adopted her maternal grandmother’s surname. The result was easier to pronounce and fit small title cards.

Meg Ryan became the name used in film marketing and press materials. Casting databases and agency paperwork list that name which ensures a clean search for roles and residuals.

Michael Keaton

He was born Michael John Douglas. The Screen Actors Guild already had a member with that name so he needed a unique professional credit. He selected Keaton to satisfy union requirements.

All film and television credits use Michael Keaton to avoid conflicts in guild databases. The change prevents payment errors and misdirected residuals and keeps casting systems organized.

Vin Diesel

He was born Mark Sinclair. During his time working as a bouncer he picked up a tough sounding nickname. He later used it as a stage name when he began acting and directing.

Vin Diesel appears on contracts and credits across his filmography. The consistent use of the name across franchises and promotions helps merchandising and licensing teams manage rights cleanly.

Bruno Mars

He was born Peter Gene Hernandez. As a young performer he received a nickname from his father and later selected a last name that suggested a larger than life energy. The combination created a distinctive stage identity.

Bruno Mars became the standard credit on songwriting and production paperwork. The name appears on publishing splits and performance rights documents which helps link his work across different music catalogs.

Emma Stone

She was born Emily Jean Stone. When she joined the Screen Actors Guild she learned that the name Emily Stone was already registered. She chose Emma as an available variant for her professional credit.

Emma Stone is now used in all film and television listings. Publicity materials and contracts use the same name so that agencies and studios can keep records consistent across projects.

John Legend

He was born John Roger Stephens. Musicians and friends began calling him by a nickname that referenced a classic sound. He eventually adopted the nickname as his stage name while releasing early recordings.

John Legend is the name on performance rights registrations and publishing agreements. Using a single professional name ensures accurate royalty tracking across collaborations and features.

Lana Del Rey

She was born Elizabeth Woolridge Grant. She experimented with several stage names before settling on one that evoked a cinematic and coastal feel. The choice aligned with the aesthetic of her early music videos.

Lana Del Rey appears on label contracts and songwriting credits. The consistent crediting simplifies catalog management for albums singles and international editions.

Tina Fey

She was born Elizabeth Stamatina Fey. From early performances she used Tina as a shortened first name that people could say quickly during live introductions. The shortened name carried into television writing and acting.

Tina Fey is the name used on union rosters and production credits. Keeping the same version across writing producing and acting helps payroll and residual departments match records.

Miley Cyrus

She was born Destiny Hope Cyrus in Tennessee. Family and friends called her by a childhood nickname that eventually became the basis for her stage identity. She later changed her legal name to match the one used professionally.

Miley Ray Cyrus appears on music publishing and screen credits. The alignment of legal and professional names helps with trademark filings and international touring paperwork.

Charlie Sheen

He was born Carlos Irwin Estévez. Early in his career he adopted the same professional surname that his father had already made famous. The change made casting and marketing simpler in English speaking markets.

Charlie Sheen is the name used on film and television credits. The credit keeps union records in line with the family’s existing professional brand which helps audiences connect the family’s body of work.

Martin Sheen

He was born Ramón Antonio Gerardo Estévez. He adopted a professional surname early on to improve access to roles at a time when casting often favored Anglicized names. He retained his birth name for personal documents.

Martin Sheen remains his professional credit across decades of work. The distinction between legal and stage names is noted in union and agency records to avoid contract confusion.

Nicolas Cage

He was born Nicolas Kim Coppola. To avoid perceptions of nepotism related to his famous filmmaking family he selected a new surname inspired by a comic book character. The change helped him establish an independent image.

Nicolas Cage is used on all screen credits and agreements. Using a distinct surname keeps casting decisions focused on his filmography rather than family connections and simplifies searches in credit databases.

Freddie Mercury

He was born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar. During his time in the British music scene he adopted a stage name that he felt suited his performance style and persona. He later changed his name legally.

Freddie Mercury appears on songwriting credits and performance rights registrations. The legal change ensured that royalties and estates used the same name as the public knew from recordings and tours.

Cary Grant

He was born Archibald Leach in England. After working in theater he adopted a shorter and more polished stage name for film. The studio promoted the new name in marketing campaigns and posters.

Cary Grant became the standard credit in studio records and contracts. The concise name eased international distribution and subtitle listings where space on printed materials was limited.

Kirk Douglas

He was born Issur Danielovitch in New York. Early in his acting career he adopted a concise stage name that casting directors could remember easily. The new name appeared on playbills and then on film credits.

Kirk Douglas remained his professional identity for the rest of his career. Studios and unions used that name on all paperwork which kept payment and archival records straightforward.

Share your favorite example and tell us which name change surprised you the most in the comments.