10 Celebrities Who’ve Changed Their Stage Names Over the Years

Our names may feel set in stone, but not for celebrities. As celebrities grow and evolve their styles, their identity also alters with them. These celebrities have played around with their stage personas before, either landing on one that fits or returning to their original name.

Bright Side has complied a list of celebrities who have had different stage names.

1. Emma Stone

The actress was given the name Emily Jean Stone at birth. When she registered for the Screen Actors Guild, she found there was already another Emily Stone registered. The actress opted for the name Riley Stone instead. But after doing a couple of guest roles on Medium and Malcolm in the Middle, she felt as though the name didn’t fit and chose Emma instead.

2. Jamie Foxx

Eric Marlon Bishop, now known as Jamie Foxx, tried out a couple of different names when he first started doing open mic nights. When he’d sign up to the open mic lists, he used the names Tracy Brown and Stacy Green but eventually landed on Jamie Foxx.

3. Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg has had several stage names. His given name at birth was Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. When he began his rap career, he referred to himself as “Snoop Rock.” Then he changed it to “Snoop Doggy Dogg” and eventually lost the “Doggy.” But in 2012, he changed his name to “Snoop Lion” and has released music under the names “DJ Snoopadelic” and “Snoopzilla.”

4. Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera used her real name throughout her career, apart from in 2002 when she went by “Xtina,” an alter ego she had that came with a new look. She dyed her hair black and adopted a new style.

5. P. Diddy

Sean John Combs, otherwise known as P. Diddy, has had many stage names over his career — Puff Daddy, Puffy, and Diddy, to name a few. In 2017, he announced he would be going by Love or Brother Love.

6. Prince

In 1993, Prince changed his stage name to a symbol that looked like a combination of the symbols for both sexes, referred to as “Love Symbol.” He was often called The Artist Formerly Known as Prince and eventually returned to Prince in 2000.

7. David Bowie

Born as David Robert Jones, the artist thought his name wasn’t memorable enough for the stage. He tried the name Davy Jones but there was another rock star with the same name. He eventually landed on David Bowie. He’s also famous for performing as his alter ego, Ziggy Stardust.

8. Lana Del Rey

The singer’s real name is Elizabeth Woolridge Grant, but she’s now known as Lana Del Rey. When she began singing, she went by the name, “Lizzy Grant,” and also performed as “Sparkle Rope Jump Queen” until she landed on Lana Del Rey.

9. Garth Brooks

Troyal Garth Brooks is the American country singer’s given name. But in 1999, Brooks took on the persona of “Chris Gaines,” a fictional rock persona.

10. Kanye West

Kanye West has used his own name to perform since the beginning of his career. In August 2021, Kanye West legally changed his name to “Ye” with no middle or last name.

Do you have a nickname? Or if you had a stage name, what would it be?