From shortened last names to childhood nicknames that stuck, these celebrities made a major switch before entering Hollywood

Celebrities from Jon Bon Jovi to John Legend are some of the most recognized names in the world. But many of them weren’t born with the names we know them by.

Whether to make it shorter, more memorable, or just to stand out in Hollywood, many celebrities have opted to change their names as their fame has risen.

From Kirk Douglas to Marilyn Monroe, let’s dive into the stories behind 26 celebrities who decided to change their names.

Kirk Douglas

The legendary Kirk Douglas was originally named Issur Danielovitch, a name he felt was too unwieldy for Hollywood. Born to poor Russian immigrants, he decided to change his name to something simpler before pursuing a career in showbiz. Reflecting later, he confessed he might have held onto it, saying, “It’s more interesting to keep your original name. But can you imagine that name on a marquee?”

Dove Cameron

Born Chloe Celeste Hoffman, Dove Cameron changed her name as a tribute to her late father who called her Dove as a nickname. She shared, “He called me Dove more than he ever called me Chloe. After he passed, I decided to make it my legal name.”

John Legend

John Legend was born John Roger Stephens. His stage name started as a childhood nickname that gained traction. He shared, “John Legend is a nickname that some friends started calling me and it kind of grew into my stage name.”

Audrey Hepburn

The origins of Audrey Hepburn’s true name are surrounded by various stories. Most sources agree she was born Edda van Heemstra Hepburn-Ruston. However, different biographies differ on the names Edda, Audrey, and Andrey. Hepburn was her mother’s maiden name.

Vin Diesel

Born Mark Sinclair, Vin Diesel felt his name didn’t match his tough image as a bouncer in NYC. He chose “Vin” from his mother’s maiden name and “Diesel” from his friends who said he was always full of energy.

Meg Ryan

Meg Ryan sounds straightforward, but her real name is Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra. She adopted her grandmother’s surname “Ryan” when she joined the Screen Actors Guild.

Charlie Sheen

Born Carlos Irwin Estevez, Charlie Sheen adopted his father Martin Sheen’s stage name. Interestingly, his siblings Emilio, Ramón, and Renée still use their original last name Estévez.

Diane Keaton

Diane Keaton’s surname is actually Hall. She opted for her mother’s maiden name because another Diane Hall was already registered in Actors’ Equity Association.

Olivia Wilde

Olivia Jane Cockburn changed her last name to Wilde in tribute to her favorite author, Oscar Wilde.

Katy Perry

Katy Perry, originally Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, chose Perry—her mother’s maiden name—so she wouldn’t be confused with actress Kate Hudson.

Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus legally changed her name from Destiny Hope to Miley Ray in 2008, borrowing from her childhood nickname “Smiley”.

Nina Dobrev

Nina Dobrev is a shortened version of her Bulgarian name, Nikolina Konstantinova Dobreva.

Jamie Foxx

Jamie Foxx was born Eric Marlon Bishop but opted for a more gender-neutral name during his stand-up days. He chose “Foxx” in honor of comedian Redd Foxx.

Bruno Mars

Born Peter Gene Hernandez, Bruno Mars was nicknamed Bruno since he was 2 years old. “Mars” was added to sound larger-than-life.

Michael Keaton

Michael Keaton’s real name was Michael Douglas, but he had to change it since there was already a famous Michael Douglas. He selected Keaton, though it’s not tied to actress Diane Keaton.

Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise might be famous now but he was born Thomas Cruise Mapother IV. His agent suggested he use his middle name, Cruise, as a last name for simplicity.

Demi Moore

Demi Moore was born Demetria Gene Guynes. She kept Moore, which is the last name from her first marriage to musician Freddy Moore.

Whoopi Goldberg

Born Caryn Elaine Johnson, Whoopi Goldberg’s stage name came from the whoopee cushion, reflecting her lively personality. She chose Goldberg as a tribute to her family heritage.

Marilyn Monroe

Initially named Norma Jeane Baker, she legally became Marilyn Monroe in 1956, though she had used the name professionally since 1946. Fox executive Ben Lyon suggested Marilyn, and she picked Monroe, her mother’s maiden name.

Natalie Portman

Born Neta-Lee Hershlag, the actress selected her grandmother’s maiden name, “Portman,” for privacy reasons.

Alicia Keys

Alicia Augello Cook changed her name to Alicia Keys to better reflect her musical talent.

Winona Ryder

Winona Ryder changed her surname from Horowitz when asked how she would like her name to appear on the credits. Ryder was suggested as Mitch Ryder’s album played in the background.

Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston was born Jennifer Linn Anastassakis. Her Greek father changed the family name when entering the acting world.

Elton John

Born Reginald Kenneth Dwight, he adopted “Elton John” in honor of two blues legends. He added the middle name “Hercules” in 1972.

Martin Sheen

Born Ramón Antonio Gerardo Estévez, Martin Sheen never legally changed his name. He reveals that it’s one of his regrets, realizing later how important it was to stand up for what he believes.

Jon Bon Jovi

Jon Bon Jovi, born John Francis Bongiovi Jr., adjusted his name to match his band’s name, Bon Jovi.