You know them by their stage name, but these stars’ real names might surprise you. See if you can guess them!
Katy Perry
The talented actress’s real name is Kathryn Hudson. She previously released a record under her real name Katy Hudson, but soon after, she changed her name and took her mother’s maiden name to not be confused with the actress Kate Hudson.
Whoopi Goldberg
Her real name is Caryn Elaine Johnson. The stage name Whoopi Goldberg came from a funny joke by her friends making fun of her cough. She also picked her mother’s Jewish last name Goldberg.
Drake
Back in his Degrassi years, Drake was known by his real name Aubrey Drake Graham. But once he left Toronto to pursue his rap and music career back in 2009, he switched to his now-iconic rap name Drake.
Miley Cyrus
Born Destiny Hope Cyrus, the talented singer, changed her name to Miley Cyrus before her debut in the Hannah Montana series when her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, used to call her smiley as a child. She then legally changed her name to Miley in 2008.
Julianne Moore
Julianne Moore, Born Julie Smith, was forced to change her name when she was younger by her talent manager. Julianne (once called Julie Ann) said in an interview that the reason she did was that her manager thought her real name wouldn’t stand up in the movie business.
Jamie Foxx
Eric Marlon Bishop AKA Jamie Foxx changed his name back in his stand-up comedy days because he wanted a more gender-neutral stage name.
Nicki Minaj
Born Onika Tanya Maraj, Nicki Minaj hated her stage name Minaj but was forced to change it for a record deal.
Ben Kingsley
Ben Kingsley’s real name is actually Krishna Pandit Bhanji, he spoke about the reason he changed into a more “American” to not hurt his career.
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey’s real name is Orpha Winfrey, and she often spoke about how the change was merely a misspelling of her name. Her name was misspelled on her birth certificate. Crazy, right?
Charlie Sheen
Both Charlie Sheen and his father Martin have openly spoken about changing their names. His parents were Spanish and Irish, and he simply wanted a more American name.
Michael Caine
Formally known as Sir Maurice Joseph Micklewhite, Caine claims his agent encouraged him to change his name. His choice was based on the hero in “The Caine Munity.”
Bono
U2 lead singer Bono’s real name is actually Paul David Hewson. He chose the name Bono from the term Bono Vox, which means a good voice. His wife still keeps the name Hewson.
Lady Gaga
Born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, she later changed her name to Lady Gaga because she thought it would be less painful to say.
Vin Diesel
The iconic action star goes by the real name Mark Sinclair Vincent; the actor revealed that he used the name Vin DIESEL back in his bouncer days.
Jodie Foster
Alicia Christiane Foster is Jodie Foster’s real name. She revealed that the name Jodie came from the initials “JO D” that stands for her mother’s partner Josephina Domingez.
Bruno Mars
Born Peter Gene Hernandez, Bruno Mars revealed that he changed his name simply to avoid stereotypes.
Elton John
The talented artist’s real name is Reginald Kenneth Dwight, and his stage name came from mixing saxophonist Elton Dean and Long John Baldry’s names.
Woody Allen
Woody Allen, AKA Allan Stewart Konigsberg, changed his name back when he was 17. He was always known as Woody for short, so he kept it.
Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder, aka Stevland Hardaway Judkins, was once renamed Little Steve Wonder by record manager Berry Gordy. He got rid of the “Little” part but kept his iconic name.
Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey, previously known as Elizabeth Grant, had one album under that name, which failed. She picked herself back up and renamed herself to Lana Del Rey. She reasoned that she wanted a Spanish name since she used to perform in Miami.
Ice Cube
O’Shea Jackson Sr is Ice Cube’s real name. His brother named him Ice Cube because he felt that O’Shea was too cool for his age.
Iggy Azalea
Iggy’s real name is Amethyst Amelia Kelly. She changed her name only because she reasoned no tough rapper should be called Amethyst.
Tyga
Tyga is a backronym for Thank You God Always, but his real name is Michael Ray Nguyen-Stevenson
Jennifer Aniston
It was actually Jennifer’s dad, “Days of Our Lives” actor John Aniston who changed his name back in the day. Their real name was Anastassakis.
Nicolas Cage
Nicolas Kim Coppola changed his name to Nicolas Cage to separate himself from “The Godfather” director Francis Coppola.
