20 Celebs Who Changed Their Names Before They Were Famous

Celebrities often go by names that become synonymous with their fame. However, these identities weren’t always their own. Many stars swapped their birth names for something snappier, more meaningful, or simply to distance themselves from their pasts. You might be surprised by the real names of these 20 well-known stars.

John Legend

His birth certificate says John Roger Stephens, but his soulful voice earned him a legendary nickname. Poet J. Ivy dubbed him “Legend,” and it stuck. John was hesitant at first but embraced it. The name became prophetic, with the EGOT and Grammys that manifested afterward.

Nicolas Cage

You wouldn’t expect that this Hollywood wild card was born Nicolas Kim Coppola. To avoid accusations of nepotism due to being Francis Ford Coppola’s nephew, he dropped the family name and borrowed ‘Cage’ from comic book hero Luke Cage. That move helped him build a career based on his eccentric merit.

Elton John

Before the sequins and piano ballads, he was Reginald Kenneth Dwight. That name didn’t scream showman, though. He chose Elton John by borrowing from two bandmates, creating a new persona to match his bold sound. Since then, few names have been more instantly tied to both glamor and timeless songwriting.

Vin Diesel

Bouncer by night and an aspiring actor by day, Mark Sinclair wanted a name with edge. “Vin” came from his stepfather’s surname, Vincent, and “Diesel” was his nickname for his relentless energy. The combo sounded like a muscle car and matched the action-star identity he was building.

Jon Bon Jovi

Before headlining stadiums, he was John Francis Bongiovi Jr. Perhaps that name was better suited for a wedding invitation than a rock anthem. Jon trimmed the syllables and made them singable. Bon Jovi became the brand, the band, and the legend that echoed across the airwaves in the 1980s.

Portia de Rossi

Amanda Lee Rogers legally became Portia de Rossi at age 15. Inspired by literature and a desire to start fresh, she selected “Portia” from Shakespeare and “de Rossi” for its exotic feel. The new name gave her confidence and a striking identity before Hollywood ever came calling.

Meg Ryan

Born Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra, she cut through the syllable overload with Meg Ryan. “Meg” was easy and familiar; “Ryan” came from her grandmother’s maiden name. It’s the kind of name you picture in studio lights, and it worked. She became America’s sweetheart in every rom-com that mattered.

Kirk Douglas

The future Hollywood icon realized early that Tinseltown wasn’t built to pronounce his given name, Issur Danielovitch Demsky. So, he chose Kirk Douglas, a name that fit effortlessly on marquees and into film history. He said he regrets it, but the name change helped cement his legacy across five decades.

Dove Cameron

She wasn’t born Dove, but Chloe Celeste Hosterman. After her father’s passing, she legally changed her name to honor him. “Dove” was his special nickname for her, almost as if he foresaw the potential branding move. That emotional backstory gives extra weight to her sweet-but-edgy Disney and music persona.

Michael Keaton

When Michael John Douglas started acting, there was one big problem: “Michael Douglas” was already taken by a pretty famous guy. Wanting something unique, he flipped through a phone book and found “Keaton.” He has no relation to Diane, but the name stuck, and so did his roles, from Batman to Beetlejuice.

Gigi Hadid

To her classmates, she was Jelena Noura Hadid. But her mom started calling her “Gigi” at home. By the time she hit the runway, that playful nickname was already her brand. Short, bold, and unforgettable—the kind of name that prints beautifully on a Vogue cover.

Jamie Foxx

Eric Marlon Bishop knew female comedians often got called up first at open mics—so he picked “Jamie,” a name bookers might assume was a woman’s. “Foxx” was a nod to comedian Redd Foxx. This gave him a foot in the door, jumpstarting a career filled with Grammys and Oscars.

Bruno Mars

Peter Gene Hernandez was already making music, but industry executives tried to box him into Latin genres based solely on his last name. To avoid being typecast, he chose “Bruno” (a childhood nickname) and “Mars” to sound raceless and otherworldly. Now, his funk-pop sound is Grammy-certified.

Olivia Wilde

Olivia Jane Cockburn couldn’t go with “Cockburn” for the screen, and you probably understand why. She picked Wilde as a nod to her literary hero, Oscar Wilde. It gave her name a cool edge that matches her directorial style. Now, it’s hard to imagine the credits rolling with anything else.

Katy Perry

Her real name is Katheryn Hudson, but with Kate Hudson already famous, using it professionally would’ve caused confusion. That’s why she took her mother’s maiden name and became Katy Perry. It gave her pop persona a fresh start, which allowed her to roar with a sound all her own.

Lana Del Rey

Elizabeth Woolridge Grant tried performing under her birth name and a few forgettable stage names before landing on Lana Del Rey. She created it to evoke glamour and nostalgia, inspired by old Hollywood and a vintage car. That dreamy identity helped her music feel timeless from day one.

Emma Stone

When she joined the Screen Actors Guild, someone had already registered “Emily Stone.” Instead of picking something wild, she went with Emma from her favorite Spice Girl. Over time, Emma Stone became the name everyone knew, even though her close friends still call her Emily behind the scenes.

Charlie Sheen

Following in the footsteps of his father, Martin Sheen (born Ramon Estevez), Carlos Estevez took on a more Americanized name to boost his career. Charlie Sheen really worked. For years, most fans never realized they were watching someone from one of Hollywood’s most notable Spanish-speaking families.

Whoopi Goldberg

Born Caryn Elaine Johnson, she went with “Whoopi” because of her big personality and flatulence jokes. The “Goldberg” came later, partly as a stage name and partly, as she once said, to sound more Jewish in show business. It’s odd but absolutely memorable—a combo that helped launch her career.

Natalie Portman

Hollywood met her as Natalie Portman, but she was born Natalie Hershlag. She chose her grandmother’s maiden name for privacy after landing her breakout role in “Leon: The Professional.” This let her protect her family while navigating fame, which was a smart move for a teenager stepping into global stardom.