Bruno Mars: From Peter Gene Hernandez to Bruno Mars
Singer Bruno Mars, known for his unique sound, was born with the name Peter Gene Hernandez. In an interview, he revealed that his stage name, Bruno Mars, was inspired by a fat wrestler named Bruno Sammartino and his own nickname as a baby. Mars added the surname “Mars” because he felt it added a touch of uniqueness to his image.
Carmen Electra: The Electrifying Persona
Carmen Electra, originally known as Tara Leigh Patrick, adopted her new name after impressing none other than Prince himself. After dancing for him, Prince suggested that she should be called Electra. Though hesitant at first, the name eventually grew on her and she became Carmen Electra. She is currently in the process of legally changing her name.
Faith Hill: From Audrey Faith Perry to Faith Hill
Singer Faith Hill, born Audrey Faith Perry, decided to go by her middle name professionally. Even after marrying Tim McGraw and changing her surname to McGraw, she kept her ex-husband’s surname, Hill, as her professional name. When she had her third daughter, she named her Audrey, as a nod to her birth name.
Jamie Foxx: A Name That Stuck
Comedian and actor Jamie Foxx, originally named Eric Marlon Bishop, faced rejection from other comedians when performing under his real name. In search of a chance on stage, he started signing up with unisex and gender-ambiguous names. It was when he performed as Jamie Foxx that he finally received a standing ovation, leading him to adopt the name permanently.
Katy Perry: The Protective Persona
Pop star Katy Perry, born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, chose her stage name after her Christian rock album failed to gain success. Coming from a strict religious background, Perry saw adopting a different persona as a form of protection. She created the character of Katy Perry to show the world that she is enough. The name “Perry” was her mother’s maiden name, and she also wanted to differentiate herself from actress Kate Hudson.
Miley Cyrus: From Destiny Ray Cyrus to Miley Ray Cyrus
Daughter of country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, Miley Cyrus was given the nickname “Smiley” as a baby, which later evolved into Miley. In 2008, she legally changed her name to Miley Ray Cyrus, with her middle name paying tribute to her grandfather, Ronald Ray Cyrus.
Natalie Portman: A Transition to Privacy
Actress Natalie Portman, born Neta-Lee Hershlag, chose her stage name to protect her privacy. She took her paternal grandmother’s maiden name, “Portman,” as her surname. This change came after her breakthrough role in the movie “Léon: The Professional.” Prior to that, she used her birth name while performing in the musical “Ruthless!”
Rita Wilson: From Margarita Ibrahimoff to Rita Wilson
Actress Rita Wilson, born Margarita Ibrahimoff, revealed that her father changed their family name to Wilson when she was a child. Her father, originally named Hassan Halilov Ibrahimoff, wanted a more American-sounding name. Rita is a derivation of her original name, Margarita.