Robert Allen Zimmerman is the name of what famous American songwriter?
Seudonyms for life
Behind made-up names: Stars who changed their original names and why
Much like Bruce Wayne hid behind Batman, many celebrities whose careers we’ve followed through the years bear made-up names. Was it to protect their family names from stardom? Was it to wear the personas as costumes they could hang at the door? Let’s look into fake and real names of well-known icons and see, if known, why they chose to do it.
Image: Matt Botsford
Stevie Wonder
The musical genius behind hits like "Superstition" and "Isn't She Lovely," Stevie Wonder, was born Stevland Hardaway Judkins.
Blind from infancy, he was a child prodigy, signed to Motown Records at just 11 years old. They decided to rebrand him as "Little Stevie Wonder." Isn’t that how a legend gets made?
Image: Osman Rana
Muhammad Ali
"The Greatest," Muhammad Ali, known for his legendary boxing career and his outspoken personality, was born Cassius Clay.
After converting to Islam, he refused to keep his birth name and rebranded himself as Muhammad Ali. He floated like a butterfly, stung like a bee, and certainly wasn't shy about making a statement!
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Whoopi Goldberg
The hilarious and outspoken Whoopi Goldberg, known for her roles in films like The Color Purple and Ghost, was called Caryn Elaine Johnson at birth.
If her name reminds you of a Whoopee Cushion, here’s where you learn that that was intentional. Her friends called her that –Whoopi Cushion– and she wanted it to be her stage name, but her mom convinced her to take herself more seriously and use one of her family surnames, Goldberg.
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Lady Gaga
The queen of pop, Lady Gaga, known for her outrageous fashion style and catchy hits like "Bad Romance" and "Born This Way," was born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta. Elegant, but still a mouthful when you are trying to become the next Madonna.
While designing her legendary persona, she was inspired by the Queen song "Radio Ga Ga," and she stuck with that name. It does fit her theatrical aesthetic much better than Stefani Germanotta, doesn't it?
Image: Hrayr Movsisyan
Prince
This one is less of a story than you might imagine —Prince’s first name was, indeed, Prince. The Purple One was born Prince Rogers Nelson, just like his father, a jazz musician who performed under the stage name "Prince Rogers." So, that name was taken.
He rose to fame as simply "Prince," although some remember him as "The Artist Formerly Known as Prince (TAFKAP)," which he established as his name after a dispute with Warner Bros Records.
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Bob Dylan
The voice of a generation, Bob Dylan, known for his poetic lyrics and iconic songs like "Blowin' in the Wind," was born Robert Allen Zimmerman.
Did he choose the name after Dylan Thomas? No, the musician eventually confessed he’d never read much of the poet. Toying around with his first surname, Allen, Bob had been trying to decide whether to call himself "Bob Allen" or "Bob Allyn," until he realized "Dylan" was, in his words, stronger.
Image: Samuel Ramos
Meg Ryan
America's sweetheart, Meg Ryan, known for her roles in romantic comedies like Sleepless in Seattle and You've Got Mail, was born Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra.
When you have such a long name, you have to make some decisions. She first presented herself as "Margaret Hyra", but when registering for the Screen Actors Guild, Margaret became Meg, and her dad’s surname was replaced by the maiden name of her grandma, Ryan.
Image: Kit Suman
Demi Moore
Actress Demi Moore was born Demetria Gene Guynes. She shortened her first name to Demi when she began her acting career and adopted the surname Moore from her first husband, Freddy Moore.
The Moores eventually separated, but Demi decided to carry the surname on throughout her career.
Image: Bruno Mattos
Brad Pitt
Did you know that Brad Pitt might easily have been known as "Bill Pitt"? Or "Willy Pitt"? We surely prefer Brad!
Hollywood’s heartthrob was born William Bradley Pitt. Early in his career, he presented himself with his full name, but eventually, he dropped the "William." He went on to become a multi-awarded and beloved movie star and producer.
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Winona Ryder
The quirky and talented Winona Ryder, known for her roles in films like Beetlejuice and Girl, Interrupted, was born Winona Laura Horowitz.
Why did she choose "Ryder" for her movie credits? She says that she picked the name out of a Mitch Ryder record her dad loved. Seems whimsical, but remember: She was only a teenager when she rose to fame!
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Emma Stone
Academy Award-winning actress Emma Stone, known for her roles in films like La La Land and Easy A, was born Emily Jean Stone.
She would have signed up with her real name proudly, but when she went to register with the Screen Actors Guild, she found that Emily Stone was taken. She decided to go for the next best thing and name herself after her favorite Spice Girl, Emma Bunton.
Image: Mirko Fabian
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