There’s magic in a good stage name. Whether it’s standing out, preventing confusion, or just creating a cooler persona, many stars have altered their names on their road to stardom. Some are small, others drastic—and all have fascinating histories. From Hollywood legends to music icons, here are 15 celebrity name changes that might surprise you.
15. Antonio Banderas
Before he was the boyfriend of Zorro and the voice of Puss in Boots, however, he used his full birth name: José Antonio Banderas. Cutting out the “José” gave his name a streamlined, international sheen that fit with his increasing fame.
14. Ice Cube
Born O’Shea Jackson, the would-be rap icon and actor got his nickname on account of his older brother, who playfully said he was “too cool” for his age. Ice Cube was born—a moniker that would soon be identified with West Coast hip hop and big-budget movies.
13. Shania Twain
Born Eileen Regina Edwards, Shania took on the Twain last name when she grew up with her stepfather. But “Eileen wasn’t exactly the image she wished to project for the music industry. The name came from a person she encountered named Shania, and she fell in love with the way it sounded and used it for herself.
12. Reese Witherspoon
Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon had a mouthful of a name when she started, so she streamlined it for showbiz. “Reese,” her mom’s maiden name, moved up front, while “Witherspoon,” her dad’s surname, stayed—creating a name with Southern charm and star power.
11. Whoopi Goldberg
You’ve got to love this one: born Caryn Elaine Johnson, Whoopi chose her stage name partly as a joke. “Whoopi” was inspired by—you guessed it—a whoopee cushion, thanks to her gassy sense of humor. “Goldberg” was added to honor her Jewish roots.
10. Jamie Foxx
Eric Marlon Bishop soon discovered the trade secrets of the world of comedy: female comedians were given more stage time. So, he adopted the androgynous name “Jamie Foxx” as a respect to comic legend Redd Foxx—and to increase his odds at the microphone.
9. Katy Perry
Before she was the chart-topping pop sensation we’re familiar with today, Katy performed under the name Katheryn Hudson. But with actress Kate Hudson getting all the attention already, she decided to use her mom’s maiden name, Perry, in order to be different.
8. Bruno Mars
Born Peter Gene Hernandez, Bruno longed for a name that sounded bigger—something with flair and energy. “Bruno” was an early nickname from his father (after wrestler Bruno Sammartino), and “Mars” was tacked on for that starry, superstar vibe.
7. Michael Keaton
Michael Douglas was already working in Hollywood, so Michael John Douglas improvised. He chose “Keaton” because it sounded good—evidence that sometimes, following your instincts pays off.
6. John Legend
John Roger Stephens didn’t give himself the moniker “Legend”—his buddies did. They believed his powerful voice sounded like old-timers, and the name stuck. What began as an accolade turned into an identity.
5. Natalie Portman
When Neta-Lee Hershlag began working as an adolescent, she took on “Portman,” her grandmother’s birth name, to shield the privacy of her relatives. It was a pragmatic move that came to be linked with one of the most admired film professions.
4. Marilyn Monroe
One of Hollywood’s most legendary names wasn’t given at birth. Norma Jeane Mortenson (later Norma Jeane Baker) borrowed “Marilyn” from a Broadway actress and “Monroe” from her mother’s maiden name. It wasn’t legal until years afterward, but the character had already conquered the world.
3. Vin Diesel
Mark Sinclair needed something with a bit more oomph for his action hero image. “Vin” is from his mother’s birth name, Vincent, and “Diesel” was a moniker from friends who told him he had unending energy.
2. Audrey Hepburn
Born Edda van Heemstra Hepburn-Ruston, Audrey took her father’s last name, which he felt was of aristocratic lineage. She abbreviated it early in her career, earning a name today forever associated with elegance and enduring beauty.
1. Kirk Douglas
Born Issur Danielovitch, a Russian-Jewish immigrant son, he switched up his name early in his career as an actor to something he believed would be more acceptable in 1940s Hollywood. Although later he regretted not keeping his real name, “Kirk Douglas” became legendary in itself.
From name changes due to branding to individual dedication, these name changes signify the depth of identity and strategy involved in stardom. After all, sometimes reinvention is simply half the road to becoming irreplaceable.