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Surprising real names of Hollywood stars will blow your mind

You won't believe shocking true names of Hollywood celebrities

By Salima Bhutto |
Surprising real names of Hollywood stars will blow your mind
Surprising real names of Hollywood stars will blow your mind

This article will shock in a way that even if you’re a die-hard fan, you will be still unaware of the fact that such glamorous Hollywood stars are ruling hearts with their stage name instead of their real ones.

From Katy Perry having a real name of Katheryn Hudson to Mark Sinclair’s transformation into Vin Diesel; there are many Hollywood’s notable celebrities who rose to fame with their stage name.

Let’s have a look at the celebrities including actors and singer and notable personalities whose real names are pretty different:

Katy Perry

Surprising real names of Hollywood stars will blow your mind

Katy Perry's real name is Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson. She adopted 'Perry' from her mother's maiden name as her stage surname.

Moreover, the 40-year-old singer’s move was to avoid confusion with Bride Wars actress, Kate Hudson.

Miley Cyrus

Surprising real names of Hollywood stars will blow your mind

Back in early 2000s it was hard to believe Miley Cyrus’ real name is not Hannah Montanna. Now, you won’t believe that even Miley Cyrus is also not the Flowers hitmaker’s real name.

Its Destiny Hope Cyrus. Growing up, her family called her "Smiley" since she radiated happiness. This was eventually shortened to Miley.

Emma Stone

Surprising real names of Hollywood stars will blow your mind

Emma Stone's real name is Emily Stone.

The La La Land actress had to change her name as it was already registered under the name with the Screen Actors Guild.

So, the Kinds of Kindness actress chose the first name as “Emma” and kept her last name.

Bruno Mars

Surprising real names of Hollywood stars will blow your mind

Peter Gene Hernandez aka Bruno Mars changed his name to avoid being typecast into Latin music genres due to his surname Hernandez and creating a unique identity.

According to the Uptown Funk crooner, he adopted the stage name Bruno, which was a childhood nickname given by his father due to his resemblance to wrestler Bruno Sammartino.

The 39-year-old singer then added "Mars" to create a memorable and distinctive name that would set him apart in the music industry.

Lady Gaga

Surprising real names of Hollywood stars will blow your mind

The Bad Romance singer changed her name from Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta to stand out in the music industry.

With the idea of reinvent herself, her stage name "Lady Gaga" was inspired by the Queen song "Radio Ga Ga," which her producer Rob Fusari would sing to her in the studio.

Demi Moore

Surprising real names of Hollywood stars will blow your mind

Demi Moore’s real name was Demetria Gene Guynes.

Interestingly, her first husband, Freddy Moore, had a stage name, and the Substance actress adopted "Moore" as her surname to fit in with the industry.

Moreover, the 62-year-old actress was also called "Demi" by her family, a shortened version of "Demetria," so she decided to keep it as her first name.

Vin Diesel

Surprising real names of Hollywood stars will blow your mind

The Fast & Furious actor’s real name is Mark Sinclair and changed his name for his acting career.

The name "Vin" came from his time working as a bouncer in New York City, where he was known as "Vinnie."

As for Diesel, his surname was added because it conveyed a sense of power and energy, which absolutely fit his on-screen image.

Machine Gun Kelly

Surprising real names of Hollywood stars will blow your mind

Machine Gun Kelly was born as Colson Baker and changed his name to MGK, dropping “Machine Gun” from his stage name.

The reason behind this change is largely influenced by his fans, who suggested he modify his name to distance himself from glorifying machine guns.

Adele

Surprising real names of Hollywood stars will blow your mind

Adele didn't actually change her name as her full name is Adele Laurie Blue Adkins.

The Rolling in the Deep hitmaker chose to use only her first name professionally and the name Adele originates from German, meaning "nobility".

Rihanna

Surprising real names of Hollywood stars will blow your mind

Yes Rihanna! Her real name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty. Technically, she chose to use as her middle name as stage name.

Jamie Foxx

Surprising real names of Hollywood stars will blow your mind

Jamie Foxx's real name is Eric Marlon Bishop.

While talking about his real name, the Django Unchained actor said, “I went on as Eric Bishop [and] killed. Standing ovation.”

He went on to say, “I come back the next weekend. You sign your name. I don't get on.

“Next week, I don't get on again. Come to find out, the comics are running the list. So I could never get on."

According to Foxx, he then tried out a different comedy hall, where he had more success by writing down “unisex names” because the number of male comics far outweighed the number of female comics.

Natalie Portman

Surprising real names of Hollywood stars will blow your mind

The May December actress was born as Neta-Lee Hershlag, however, she adopted her grandmother's maiden name.

The actress made the move to protect her privacy, particularly after landing a role in the 1994 film, Léon: The Professional at the age of only 13, which had some mature themes and sexual overtones.

Dakota Fanning

Surprising real names of Hollywood stars will blow your mind

Dakota Fanning didn't exactly change her name as she uses her middle name professionally.

Born Hannah Dakota Fanning, the Man on Fire actress prefers to go by Dakota, which is a family tradition.

Moreover, Fanning’s sister Elle Fanning, born Mary Elle Fanning, also uses her middle name.

Lana Del Rey

Surprising real names of Hollywood stars will blow your mind

The Summertime Sadness singer’s real name is Elizabeth Woolridge Grant.

The Diet Mountain Dew hitmaker’s changed her name create a distinctive and memorable persona that reflects her music style and mainly her inspiration from Miami.

By adopting the stage name Lana Del Rey, the 40-year-old singer created a clear distinction between her personal and professional life, allowing her to shape her artistic vision.

Lorde

Surprising real names of Hollywood stars will blow your mind

Born Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O'Connor, Lorde changed her name over her fascination with royalty and aristocracy.

The 28-year-old singer adopted the name when she started her music career and was obsessed with nobility and aristocracy.

Drake

Surprising real names of Hollywood stars will blow your mind

Drake’s real name is Aubrey Drake Graham.

The 38-year-old singer initially gained recognition as an actor, starring in the Canadian series titled Degrassi: The Next Generation, before transitioning to a successful music career as a rapper and singer.

The Hotline Bling crooner changed his name because he believes people with two syllables in their names are less successful than those with one.

Post Malone

Surprising real names of Hollywood stars will blow your mind

The Better Now singer’s real name is Austin Richard Post and he changed his name as he wanted a distinctive and memorable name that would stand out in the music industry.

Reese Witherspoon

Surprising real names of Hollywood stars will blow your mind

Last but not the least Reese isn't the actress's first name. Reese Witherspoon’s real name is Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon.

The Legally Blonde actress dropped her first two names to have a shorter and more memorable name that would stand out in the entertainment industry.