38 Celebrities You Never Knew Changed Their Names

Gigi was born Jelena Noura Hadid, however, Yolanda Foster started calling the supermodel Gigi when she was just a child.  - Stuart C. Wilson/Getty

Gigi Hadid 

Gigi was born Jelena Noura Hadid, however, Yolanda Foster started calling the supermodel Gigi when she was just a child.  Stuart C. Wilson/Getty
Similarly to sister Gigi, Bella wasn't born, well, Bella either. Her full moniker? Isabella Khair Hadid. - Venturelli/Getty

Bella Hadid

Similarly to sister Gigi, Bella wasn't born, well, Bella either. Her full moniker? Isabella Khair Hadid. Venturelli/Getty
Prince Harry's leading lady wasn't actually born a Meghan. That is the actress's middle name—her given moniker is really Rachel―the same name as her character on Suits. - Brad Barket/Getty

Meghan Markle

Prince Harry's leading lady wasn't actually born a Meghan. That is the actress's middle name—her given moniker is really Rachel―the same name as her character on Suits. Brad Barket/Getty
Truth be told, John—the man, the myth, the LEGEND—did not bear such a show-stopping name at the time of his birth. The singer originally went by John Roger Stephens. - Karwai Tang/Getty

John Legend

Truth be told, John—the man, the myth, the LEGEND—did not bear such a show-stopping name at the time of his birth. The singer originally went by John Roger Stephens. Karwai Tang/Getty
The comic's real name is Louis Székely—"C.K." is a strictly professional suffix.  - Jim Spellman/Getty

Louis C.K. 

The comic's real name is Louis Székely—"C.K." is a strictly professional suffix.  Jim Spellman/Getty
Ryan's real name is quite the mouthful: Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra. We don't think that would have fit on the poster for You've Got Mail.  - Jim Spellman/Getty

Meg Ryan

Ryan's real name is quite the mouthful: Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra. We don't think that would have fit on the poster for You've Got Mail Jim Spellman/Getty
The first-name-as-a-last-name phenomenon is a gift bestowed upon the truly #blessed among us—but sometimes it isn't quite that easy. Lauren was born Ralph Lifshitz (doesn't really roll off the tongue, huh?).  - Karwai Tang/Getty

Ralph Lauren

The first-name-as-a-last-name phenomenon is a gift bestowed upon the truly #blessed among us—but sometimes it isn't quite that easy. Lauren was born Ralph Lifshitz (doesn't really roll off the tongue, huh?).  Karwai Tang/Getty
Much (read: all) of Hollywood's Audrey-Katharine confusion could've been avoided had Audrey stuck to her original last name: Ruston.  - Hulton Archive/Getty

Audrey Hepburn

Much (read: all) of Hollywood's Audrey-Katharine confusion could've been avoided had Audrey stuck to her original last name: Ruston.  Hulton Archive/Getty
If you've been wondering what sort of parents would willingly name their child Vin... well, not this guy's! The Fast and the Furious star was born Mark Sinclair. The rise of Vin Diesel came from his days as an N.Y.C. bouncer—obvs, you don't mess with Vin.  - David Livingston/Getty

Vin Diesel

If you've been wondering what sort of parents would willingly name their child Vin... well, not this guy's! The Fast and the Furious star was born Mark Sinclair. The rise of Vin Diesel came from his days as an N.Y.C. bouncer—obvs, you don't mess with Vin.  David Livingston/Getty
The rapper's nom de plume is a truncated version of her original moniker, Onika Tanya Maraj.  - Laura Cavanaugh/Getty

Nicki Minaj

The rapper's nom de plume is a truncated version of her original moniker, Onika Tanya Maraj.  Laura Cavanaugh/Getty
Offstage, the DJ goes by Adam Richard Wiles. Taylor Swift drew attention to Harris's true name when she thanked her then "boyfriend Adam" at the 2016 iHeartRadio Awards last April.  - Mike Marsland/Getty

Calvin Harris

Offstage, the DJ goes by Adam Richard Wiles. Taylor Swift drew attention to Harris's true name when she thanked her then "boyfriend Adam" at the 2016 iHeartRadio Awards last April.  Mike Marsland/Getty
In an attempt to distance his image from that of his famous uncle (Francis Ford Coppola), Nicolas abandoned his original surname for the simple yet memorable "Cage." - Elisabetta A. Villa/Getty

Nicolas Cage

In an attempt to distance his image from that of his famous uncle (Francis Ford Coppola), Nicolas abandoned his original surname for the simple yet memorable "Cage." Elisabetta A. Villa/Getty
The Real Housewives of Atlanta star was born Linnethia Monique Johnson.  - Tibrina Hobson/Getty

NeNe Leakes

The Real Housewives of Atlanta star was born Linnethia Monique Johnson.  Tibrina Hobson/Getty
The actor shortened his name from the lengthier Carlos Irwin Estevez.  - Jason LaVeris/Getty

Charlie Sheen 

The actor shortened his name from the lengthier Carlos Irwin Estevez.  Jason LaVeris/Getty
Ironic as it may seem, Diane's original last name was actually Hall—you know, like Annie - JB Lacroix/Getty

Diane Keaton 

Ironic as it may seem, Diane's original last name was actually Hall—you know, like Annie JB Lacroix/Getty
No, she's not a long lost descendant of Oscar Wilde. Olivia entered into this world with a fairly unfortunate last name: Cockburn.  - Paul Morigi/Getty

Olivia Wilde

No, she's not a long lost descendant of Oscar Wilde. Olivia entered into this world with a fairly unfortunate last name: Cockburn.  Paul Morigi/Getty
The celebrated comedian started out as Elizabeth Stamatina Fey, later shortening her middle name to form her current moniker.  - Monica Schipper/Getty

Tina Fey

The celebrated comedian started out as Elizabeth Stamatina Fey, later shortening her middle name to form her current moniker.  Monica Schipper/Getty
The namesake designer was formerly known at Karl Anderson Jr.  - Paul Morigi/Getty

Michael Kors

The namesake designer was formerly known at Karl Anderson Jr.  Paul Morigi/Getty
The 60-year-old actress was born Margarita Ibrahimoff. - D Dipasupil/Getty

Rita Wilson 

The 60-year-old actress was born Margarita Ibrahimoff. D Dipasupil/Getty
The famed director is no stranger to name change. He was born Allen Stewart Konigsberg, changed his name to Heywood Allen when he was 17, and later adopted Woody as a memorable alternative.  - Venturelli/Getty

Woody Allen

The famed director is no stranger to name change. He was born Allen Stewart Konigsberg, changed his name to Heywood Allen when he was 17, and later adopted Woody as a memorable alternative.  Venturelli/Getty
The popstar was born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson.  - Albert L. Ortega/Getty

Katy Perry 

The popstar was born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson.  Albert L. Ortega/Getty
The optimistically named Destiny Hope Cyrus legally switched to Miley (a reference to her childhood nickname, "Smiley") in 2008.  - Rob Kim/Getty

Miley Cyrus

The optimistically named Destiny Hope Cyrus legally switched to Miley (a reference to her childhood nickname, "Smiley") in 2008.  Rob Kim/Getty
The Bulgarian-born actress shortened her name from Nikolina Konstantinova Dobreva.  - Frazer Harrison/AMA2016/Getty

Nina Dobrev

The Bulgarian-born actress shortened her name from Nikolina Konstantinova Dobreva.  Frazer Harrison/AMA2016/Getty
The Oscar-winner was born Eric Marlon Bishop. - Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

Jamie Foxx

The Oscar-winner was born Eric Marlon Bishop. Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty
Surprise, surprise, Lorde is not the New Zealander's birth name! Before she crooned her way to the top of the charts, the 20-year-old was known as Ella Maria Lani Yelich-O'Connor. - Steve Granitz/Getty

Lorde

Surprise, surprise, Lorde is not the New Zealander's birth name! Before she crooned her way to the top of the charts, the 20-year-old was known as Ella Maria Lani Yelich-O'Connor. Steve Granitz/Getty
Meet William Bradley Pitt! - Tim P. Whitby/Getty

Brad Pitt

Meet William Bradley Pitt! Tim P. Whitby/Getty
The actor was born Joaquin Rafael Bottom, but rose from the ashes to claim his showbiz suffix: Phoenix. - Steve Granitz/Getty

Joaquin Phoenix

The actor was born Joaquin Rafael Bottom, but rose from the ashes to claim his showbiz suffix: Phoenix. Steve Granitz/Getty
No, the singer's parents didn't raise him as an intergalactic black lab—at birth, Mars was named Peter Gene Hernandez.  - Slaven Vlasic/Getty

Bruno Mars

No, the singer's parents didn't raise him as an intergalactic black lab—at birth, Mars was named Peter Gene Hernandez.  Slaven Vlasic/Getty
The comedian was born Vera Mindy Chokalingam.  - Jason LaVeris/Getty

Mindy Kaling 

The comedian was born Vera Mindy Chokalingam.  Jason LaVeris/Getty
The punk icon was born Courtney Michelle Harrison. - Jason LaVeris/Getty

Courtney Love 

The punk icon was born Courtney Michelle Harrison. Jason LaVeris/Getty
The Mission Impossible star once bore a fancy roman numeral at the end of his name: Thomas Cruise Mapother IV.  - Jeff Spicer/Getty

Tom Cruise

The Mission Impossible star once bore a fancy roman numeral at the end of his name: Thomas Cruise Mapother IV.  Jeff Spicer/Getty
Less is Moore according to Demi (formerly known as Demetria Gene Guynes).  - Karwai Tang/Getty

Demi Moore

Less is Moore according to Demi (formerly known as Demetria Gene Guynes).  Karwai Tang/Getty
The Oscar-winner was born Caryn Elaine Johnson. - Kevork Djansezian/Getty

Whoopi Goldberg

The Oscar-winner was born Caryn Elaine Johnson. Kevork Djansezian/Getty
Before adopting the elegant last name Portman, the Oscar-winning actress was known as Natalie Hershlag.  - Tommaso Boddi/Getty

Natalie Portman

Before adopting the elegant last name Portman, the Oscar-winning actress was known as Natalie Hershlag.  Tommaso Boddi/Getty
The key to Alicia's success in singing? Changing her name from Alicia Augello Cook (just kidding, her talent was definitely the ultimate factor).  - Mireya Acierto/Getty

Alicia Keys

The key to Alicia's success in singing? Changing her name from Alicia Augello Cook (just kidding, her talent was definitely the ultimate factor).  Mireya Acierto/Getty
Mila shortened her name from Milena Markovna Kunis. - Karwai Tang/Getty

Mila Kunis

Mila shortened her name from Milena Markovna Kunis. Karwai Tang/Getty
The singer was born Elizabeth Woolridge Grant. - Jason Merritt/Getty

Lana Del Rey

The singer was born Elizabeth Woolridge Grant. Jason Merritt/Getty
The actress's true name just proves that she's been royal from the start: Helen Lydia Mirren Hackford. How regal is that? - Jeff Spicer/Getty

Helen Mirren

The actress's true name just proves that she's been royal from the start: Helen Lydia Mirren Hackford. How regal is that? Jeff Spicer/Getty
Everyone's favorite bookworm was born Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon. - Mike Windle/Getty

Reese Witherspoon

Everyone's favorite bookworm was born Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon. Mike Windle/Getty
Like Clueless's Cher, Winona Ryder's original last name was Horowitz.  - Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

Winona Rider 

Like Clueless's Cher, Winona Ryder's original last name was Horowitz.  Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty