In the entertainment industry, it’s common for celebrities to adopt stage names that are often more memorable or marketable than their real names. Whether for privacy reasons, ease of pronunciation, or simply a desire to reinvent themselves, many famous figures are better known by their aliases than their birth names. Here are some Hollywood stars who go by stage names instead of their real names:
1. Meghan Markle
Real Name: Rachel Meghan Markle
The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, is widely known for her work as an actress on Suits, and more recently for her humanitarian efforts as a member of the British royal family. Born Rachel Meghan Markle, she uses her middle name professionally, which has since become a household name.
2. Miley Cyrus
Real Name: Destiny Hope Cyrus
Miley Cyrus rose to fame as the star of Disney’s Hannah Montana. Born Destiny Hope Cyrus, she was nicknamed “Smiley” as a child, which eventually shortened to Miley. She adopted her stage name early in her career and is now a global pop sensation.
3. Martin Sheen
Real Name: Ramón Antonio Gerardo Estévez
Actor Martin Sheen, known for his roles in The West Wing and Apocalypse Now, was born Ramón Antonio Gerardo Estévez. Sheen chose to use a stage name to avoid being typecast based on his Spanish heritage, but his son, actor Emilio Estevez, has kept the family name in his own career.
4. Whoopi Goldberg
Real Name: Caryn Elaine Johnson
Comedian and actress Whoopi Goldberg is an iconic figure known for her roles in Ghost and Sister Act. She adopted the stage name “Whoopi” as a playful reference to a whoopee cushion and “Goldberg” because she felt it sounded Jewish, even though she is not of Jewish descent.
5. Katy Perry
Real Name: Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson
Pop superstar Katy Perry, known for hits like Firework and Roar, was born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson. She changed her name to avoid confusion with actress Kate Hudson, and “Perry” is actually her mother’s maiden name.
6. Natalie Portman
Real Name: Natalie Hershlag
Academy Award-winning actress Natalie Portman, known for her roles in Black Swan and Star Wars, was born Natalie Hershlag. She adopted the stage name “Portman” from her paternal grandmother’s maiden name when she entered the acting industry.
7. Bruno Mars
Real Name: Peter Gene Hernandez
Pop star Bruno Mars, known for songs like Uptown Funk and Just the Way You Are, was born Peter Gene Hernandez. He adopted the stage name “Bruno” as a nickname from his childhood and chose “Mars” to give it an edge and make it stand out.
8. Lady Gaga
Real Name: Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta
Pop icon Lady Gaga, famous for her groundbreaking music and bold fashion choices, was born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta. She chose the name “Lady Gaga” as a tribute to the Queen song Radio Ga Ga, which she was inspired by early in her career.
9. Vin Diesel
Real Name: Mark Sinclair Vincent
Action movie star Vin Diesel, known for his roles in The Fast and the Furious franchise, was born Mark Sinclair Vincent. He adopted “Vin” as a shortened version of his last name and kept “Diesel” as a stage name, which was reportedly a nickname given to him by friends.
10. Gigi Hadid
Real Name: Jelena Noura Hadid
Supermodel Gigi Hadid, who has graced the covers of Vogue and walked the runways for top designers, was born Jelena Noura Hadid. She uses “Gigi” as a nickname, which was given to her by her younger brother when she was a child.
11. Jamie Foxx
Real Name: Eric Marlon Bishop
Actor, comedian, and musician Jamie Foxx, known for his roles in Ray and Django Unchained, was born Eric Marlon Bishop. He adopted “Jamie” as a more gender-neutral name early in his comedy career, allowing him to get more stage time at comedy clubs.
12. Paul Wesley
Real Name: Pawel Tomasz Wasilewski
Actor Paul Wesley, famous for playing Stefan Salvatore on The Vampire Diaries, was born Pawel Tomasz Wasilewski. He shortened his name to “Paul Wesley” when he started acting in the U.S., making it easier to pronounce and remember.
These celebrities prove that a name can be more than just an identity—it can also be a brand. While many of these stars are known by their stage names, they each have unique stories behind their choices, showing that in Hollywood, reinvention and the power of a name go hand-in-hand with success.
