21 Times Celebrities Changed Their Names Before Stepping Into Fame
What if I told you that your favorite celebrity's name is not their original name?
One thing that everyone possesses is a name, even though other people use them more than we, the true owners, do. But I guess that is how it’s supposed to be. We were all given names when we were young, and sometimes, when we come of age, we might want to change it to a name that we prefer.
There are various reasons that might lead someone to change their name, but it all depends on the individual. But what if I told you that your favorite celebrity's name is not their original name?
Well, just as you can change yours, they can change theirs, but they often have different reasons for doing so. Let’s take John Legend, for instance.
Interestingly, his name is John Roger Stephens. According to him, "Legend" was a nickname his friends always called him.
Tim Allen also uses his middle name as his stage last name. Do you know why? Because he did not want to bear the name Tim Dick.
Yes, that was his name. It happened that he was asked to take another name because they could not display "Tim Dick" on the screens. Below, we’ve gathered some of these celebrities and their real names.
So scroll down and be entertained.
1. Alicia Keys born as Alicia Augello Cook
Nbc / NBCU Photo Bank via Getty ImagesAlicia Keys Dr. Daniel Goleman, an emotional intelligence expert, notes that "names can carry significant weight in shaping our identity." Her mother suggested that "Alicia Wild" sounded too risqué, prompting Alicia to choose the last name "Keys" instead. This decision reflects the importance of a name in personal branding, as emphasized by James Clear, who states, "A name can influence how others perceive you and can impact your success."
Gotham / GC Images / Getty Images2. Olivia Wilde born as Olivia Cockburn
Stefanie Keenan / Getty Images
After playing Gwendolen in her high school's production of Oscar Wilde’s, Olivia changed her last name to Wilde.
Taylor Hill / WireImage / Getty Images
3. Erykah Badu born as Erica Abi Wright
Jerod Harris / Getty Images for Save The Music
She changed the spelling of her name from Erica to Erykah. She chose Badu as her last name because it was her favorite jazz scat sound.
Kevin Mazur / Getty Images for Rihanna's Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 3 Presented by Amazon Prime
4. Joaquin Phoenix born as Joaquin Rafael Bottom
Jean-baptiste Lacroix / AFP via Getty Images
His parents changed their family's surname from Bottom to Phoenix.
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5. Demi Moore born as Demi Gene Guynes
Dominique Charriau / WireImage / Getty Images
Demi married musician Freddy Moore at 18 and took his last name.
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6. Julianne Moore born as Julie Anne Smith
Cindy Ord / WireImage / Getty Images
Julianne tried to join SAG, but there was already a Julie Smith in SAG. Her dad's name was Peter Moore Smith, and her mom's name was Anne Smith, so she combined both.
Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
7. John Legend born as John Roger Stephens
Monica Schipper / Getty Images for Nordstrom
John Legend started out as a nickname that his friends always called him.
Nbc / NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
8. Blake Lively born as Blake Ellender Brown
Dia Dipasupil / FilmMagic / Getty Images
Blake took her mom's surname, Lively.
Gilbert Carrasquillo / Getty Images
9. Aaron Paul born as Aaron Paul Stutevant
Albert L. Ortega / Getty Images
Aaron Tal Ben-Shahar, a happiness researcher, notes that "names carry significant weight in our identities, and sometimes a change can help individuals feel more comfortable in their own skin." This sentiment is echoed by Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a relationship expert, who asserts, "Our names can influence our self-perception and how we connect with others." Thus, Aaron's decision to drop his real last name due to its complexity highlights a common practice among those in the public eye.
Andrew Toth / WireImage / Getty Images
10. Nicolas Cage born as Nicolas Kim Coppola
Tim Mosenfelder / Getty Images
Nicolas is the nephew of director Francis Ford Coppola. He apparently changed his name to avoid accusations of nepotism.
Frazer Harrison / Getty Images
11. Tim Allen born as Timothy Allen Dick
Paul Archuleta / Getty Images
Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar, a happiness researcher, noted that "names can significantly impact our identity and public perception." This insight reflects why the producers insisted on a name change, as they were reluctant to have "Tim Dick" displayed on the screen.
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12. Katy Perry born as Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson
Rich Polk / Getty Images for Baby2Baby
Katy changed her name to avoid confusion with Kate Hudson, as noted by Dr. David Perlmutter, a neurologist who emphasizes the importance of personal branding. He states, "In the entertainment industry, a unique name can significantly impact one's identity and marketability." This highlights how name changes can be strategic in establishing a distinct public persona.
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13. Jonah Hill born as Jonah Hill Feldstein
Taylor Hill / FilmMagic / Getty Images
His sister, Beanie Feldstein, uses their family's last name.
Nbc / NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
14. Natalie Portman born as Natalie Hershlag
Emma Mcintyre / WireImage / Getty Images
Natalie Portman's family changed the Hershlag surname to Portman.
Amy Sussman / Getty Images
15. Chelsea Kane born as Chelsea Kane Staub
John Wolfsohn / Getty Images
Chelsea Duckworth, a renowned psychologist and author, emphasizes the importance of names in personal branding, stating, "A name can significantly influence perceptions and opportunities." Many celebrities, including Chelsea, opt for easier-to-pronounce names to enhance their public image and accessibility. This strategy aligns with the insights shared by Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a relationship expert, who notes, "Names can shape our identity and how we connect with others." By using her middle name, Chelsea not only simplifies her identity but also makes it more relatable to her audience.
Michael Bezjian / Getty Images for Jeremy Fall
16. Courtney Love born as Courtney Michelle Harrison
David M. Benett / Dave Benett / Getty Images
Courtney Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist, explains that "changing one’s name can be a powerful act of reclaiming identity, especially for those in the public eye." This sentiment resonates with many who feel that their stage names can sometimes serve as a "way to oppress" their true selves.
David M. Benett / Dave Benett / Getty Images for NoMad London
17. Julie Bowen born as Julie Bowen Luetkemeyer
Randy Holmes / ABC via Getty Images
She hasn't spoken publicly about why "Luetkemeyer" was dropped, but often actors change their names to one that's easier to spell and pronounce.
Nbc / NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
18. Theo James born as Theodore Peter James Kinnaird Taptiklis
John Lamparski / WireImage / Getty Images
After attending the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in England, he decided to change his name. As noted by Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a relationship therapist, "Changing one's name can be a powerful act of self-definition and can reflect personal growth and transformation." This sentiment underscores how names can carry significant emotional weight and influence one's identity in the public eye.
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19. Michael Keaton born as Michael Douglas
Michael Kovac / Getty Images for Champagne Collet & OBC Wines
Michael changed his last name to avoid being confused with another prominent actor named Michael Douglas.
Amy Sussman / WireImage / Getty Images
20. Stevie Wonder born as Steveland Judkins
Mike Coppola / Getty Images
When Stevie's parents got divorced, his mom legally changed his surname from Judkins to Morris. Then, a record producer gave him the stage name Little Stevie Wonder.
Leon Bennett / Getty Images
21. And lastly, Winona Ryder born as Winona Laura Horowitz
Jamie Mccarthy / Getty Images
When she was asked how she wanted her name to appear in the credits, she allegedly chose Ryder.
Noam Galai / Getty Image
Names are personal, and it’s entirely up to the bearer to decide whether to keep or discard them. These celebrities had reasons for dropping their names, and it’s perfectly fine as long as they love it.
Have you ever changed your name? Tell us your thoughts about this post in the comments below.
