Stage name

pseudonym or name variant used by performing artist

A stage name is a name an entertainer (such as a movie star or a musician) uses instead of their real name. Famous examples include actress Marilyn Monroe, singer Lady Gaga and rapper Nicki Minaj.

takes in the place of their real or birth name, they might like this name better than their real one or it's easier for people to remember. Professional wrestlers use stage names also, in their case it is called a "ring name".

Actors and actresses choose stage names for a variety of reasons. Their real names may be the same as or similar to those of other people, or they may be difficult to say or spell.

Famous examples

Stage nameReal nameNotes
2pacTupac ShakurNone
50 CentCurtis Jackson BrownNone
Alan AldaAlfonso Joseph D'AbruzzoNone
David BowieDavid Robert JonesNone
Elvis CostelloDeclan Patrick McManusNone
DalidaYolande Christina GigliottiNone
Doris DayDoris Mark Ann von KappelhoffNone
Bob DylanRobert Allen ZimmermanSurname legally changed to Dylan.
Paco de LucíaFrancisco Sanchez GomezNone
EminemMarshall Mathers IIINone
Jamie FarrJameel Joseph FarahNone
Lady GagaStefani Joanne Angelina GermanottaNone
WC FieldsWilliam Claude DukenfieldNone
Elton JohnReginald Kenneth DwightFull name legally changed to Elton Hercules John
Tom JonesThomas John WoodwardNone
Marilyn MansonBrian WarnerNone
PrincePrince Rogers NelsonNone
Rick SpringfieldRichard SpringthorpeNone
Ringo StarrRichard StarkeyNone
Tiny TimHerbert KhauryNone
Peter TorkPeter Halsten ThorkelsonNone
Peter ToshWinston McIntoshNone
Stevie WonderSteveland Hardaway JudkinsLast name can also be Morris.

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