Dove Cameron was born Chloe Celeste Hoffman, but later changed her name to honor her late father, who always called her “Dove.” She made it legal as a teen, saying it felt like the right way to carry his memory. Even so, she’s shared that close friends and family still call her Chloe. | © Disney
Jamie Foxx was born Eric Marlon Bishop, but changed his name during his stand-up days. He chose the gender-neutral “Jamie” since female comics were often called up first, and “Foxx” as a nod to comedian Redd Foxx. The name stuck as his career took off. | © Netflix
Jennifer Aniston was born Jennifer Linn Anastassakis, reflecting her Greek roots. Her father, actor John Aniston, shortened the family name when he pursued acting. She kept the simpler version, and it soon became one of the most famous names in television. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
Elton John was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight, a name he admitted he never liked. Inspired by blues musicians Elton Dean and Long John Baldry, he created the stage name Elton John and later made it legal in 1972, even adding Hercules as a middle name. He once said becoming Elton John felt like getting a new lease on life. | © The Graham Norton Show
Winona Ryder was born Winona Horowitz, but her last name changed with her first movie role. When asked what name she wanted in the credits, she picked “Ryder” after hearing a Mitch Ryder album playing nearby. The choice stuck, and Winona Ryder quickly became a star under her new name. | © 20th Century Studios
Natalie Portman was born Natalie Hershlag in Israel. Early in her career, she adopted her grandmother’s maiden name, Portman, as a stage name. The change gave her more privacy while she built her career in Hollywood. | © Lucasfilm
Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jeane Mortenson and later baptized as Norma Jeane Baker. A Fox executive suggested “Marilyn,” while she chose “Monroe” from her mother’s maiden name. She had used the stage name for years, but made it legal in 1956, by then already an icon. | © Marilyn Monroe
Nicki Minaj was born Onika Tanya Maraj in Trinidad. When she started rapping, she shortened her last name into the punchy stage name “Minaj.” The change gave her a unique identity that fans around the world instantly recognized. | © Nicki Minaj
Demi Moore was born Demetria Gene Guynes, but she shortened her first name early in her career. She later took the last name Moore from her first husband, musician Freddy Moore. Even after their split, she kept the name that audiences came to know her by. | © MUBI
Katy Perry was born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, but her name was too close to actress Kate Hudson. She first put out an album as “Katy Hudson” before deciding to use her mom’s maiden name instead. The switch to Katy Perry gave her a distinct identity and helped launch her into pop stardom. | © Katy Perry
Vin Diesel was born Mark Sinclair, but that didn’t sound tough enough when he worked as a New York bouncer. He took “Vin” from his mom’s maiden name, Vincent, and added “Diesel,” a nickname from friends who said he was always full of energy. The name stuck and fit perfectly once he became an action star. | © Universal Studios
Tom Cruise was born Thomas Cruise Mapother IV, a name that didn’t exactly scream movie star. Early in his career, an agent suggested he drop the long surname and go with his middle name instead. The switch worked, and “Tom Cruise” quickly became one of the most recognizable names in Hollywood. | © Paramount Pictures
Joaquin Phoenix wasn’t always a Phoenix – he was born Joaquin Bottom. In the late 1970s, his parents changed the family name to Phoenix as a symbol of starting fresh. That new name became part of his identity as he built one of the most respected acting careers in Hollywood. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
Nina Dobrev was born Nikolina Kamenowa Dobreva in Bulgaria, but shortened her name when she started acting. Dropping the longer version made it easier for international audiences to remember and pronounce. The change helped her stand out in Hollywood, especially as she rose to fame on The Vampire Diaries. | © Warner Bros. Television
Miley Cyrus was born Destiny Hope, but she never really went by that name. Her family nicknamed her Smiley, which eventually got shortened to Miley, and it stuck. In 2008, she made it official by legally changing her name to Miley Ray Cyrus, blending her childhood nickname with her dad’s middle name. | © Mark Ronson
Plenty of stars you know by one name actually started with another. Some shortened theirs to stand out, others borrowed from family, and a few completely reinvented themselves for Hollywood. Here are 15 celebrities who changed their names and never looked back.
