Many celebrity icons, including Michael Keaton and Gigi Hadid, have ditched their real names for stage names. Keep reading to find out which of your favorite celebs are using an alias.

Do you actually know the name of your favorite celeb?

Though it may not always be obvious, some of the biggest celebs are going by a name other than their own. From Michael Keaton to Gigi Hadid, a surprising number of artists adopt stage names—and it’s not just because they want to channel Hannah Montana and have the best of both worlds.

In the case of Michael Keaton—whose real name is Michael Douglas—the Beetlejuice star ditched his original moniker to comply with the Screen Actor’s Guild’s rule that no two members can have the same name. And because the Wall Street actor Michael Douglas and talk show host Mike Douglas had those bases covered, he opted for a different moniker.

As it turns out, Emma Stone—known by friends and family as Emily Stone—had a similar experience. But both actors have revealed that after many years of building a brand with their stage names, they’re ditching them for the real deal. And while this may take some getting used to, these talented actors are bringing a new level of authenticity to their work.

But stage names aren’t always something that are adopted out of necessity. Stars like Gigi Hadid—Jelena Noura Hadid—and Tina Fey—Elizabeth Stamatina Fey—simply chose their childhood nicknames. Other artists including Chappel Roan—Kayleigh Rose Amstutz—and Lana Del Rey—Elizabeth Woolridge Grant—can lean into different personas when they take to the stage.

In fact, when asked about the origins of her stage name, Chappel Roan revealed that her onstage alter ego started as a “drag project” that helped her set boundaries with fans and separate herself from the industry.

Chappell RoanChristopher Victorio/Shutterstock

“It’s easier to separate the two because I’m already so involved in my project, in my work,” the “Casual” singer explained to AP News in October 2023, “and I feel like the drag of it all kind of lets you have a break when I take my makeup off, when I am off the stage.”

And these are only a few of the stars that have taken on different personas in Hollywood. Keep reading to find out how you should call these stars by their name.

Katy Perry, American Idol(Disney/Eric McCandless)

Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson

Though the singer initially released a Christian album under her birth name in 2001, she felt the stage name Katy Perry—inspired by her mom’s maiden name—might meet pop fans more in awe, awe, awe.

Cardi B, Z100 Jingle Ball 2018Mike Coppola/Getty Images for iHeartMedia

Belcalis Almanzar

Cardi B took on the name Bacardi after family and friends started calling her sister Hennessy. Later on she shortened the name to something that suited her quite a bit more.

Meghan Markle, GreenTim Rooke/Shutterstock

Rachel Meghan Markle

Before she became the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle was briefly known as Rachel.

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Stagecoach Widget, Shania TwainKevin Winter/Getty Images for Stagecoach

Eilleen Regina Edwards

Shania Twain shared the origin story of her stage name during an appearance on Apple Music’s Home Now Radio: “In short, I was born, Eilleen Regina Edwards, and then I was adopted and I became Eilleen Regina Twain. Then I became a professional singer and I needed a stage name that sounded a little less like my grandmother’s name, because I’m named after my grandmother, both my grandmothers, Eilleen and Regina. I think, in my mind, I was just not really wanting to be called my grandmother’s name onstage, so I decided to change it to Shania Twain. I met somebody with the name Shania, thought it was beautiful, and Shania Twain was born.”

Chappell RoanChristopher Victorio/Shutterstock

Kayleigh Rose Amstutz

The “Good Luck, Babe!” singer’s onstage persona—Chappel Roan—has always been a “drag project,” allowing her to set boundaries and separate her personal life from the industry.

ESC: Gigi Hadid, CFDA 2018Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Jelena Noura Hadid

Oddly enough, Gigi Hadid got her stage name in school when the teacher would confuse her and a girl named Helena. Since her mom called her “gigi” as a term of endearment at home, she told the teacher to just call her Gigi and it simply stuck.

Vin DieselMonica Schipper/Getty Images

Mark Vincent

If you’re looking for an explosive action-star name, how about Vin Diesel instead?

Miley Cyrus, 2019 Grammys, 2019 Grammy Awards, Red Carpet Fashions, WidgetChelsea Lauren/REX/Shutterstock

Destiny Hope Cyrus

Miley Cyrus‘ bright smile is what inspired her childhood nickname, Smiley. Eventually the name was shortened to Miley and it stuck.

Bruno MarsKevin Mazur/WireImage

Peter Gene Hernandez

Apparently the singer looked more like a Bruno than a Peter, so one day his dad started calling him Bruno. Ever since, he has been known as Bruno Mars.

Lady GagaJeff Kravitz/Getty Images for Live Nation

Stefani Germanotta

Before the meat dresses and chart-topping music, Lady Gaga was just an everyday girl from New York.

Jason Sudeikis, 2021 Emmys, Emmy Awards, Red Carpet Fashions, ArrivalsRich Fury/Getty Images

Daniel Sudeikis

Jason Sudeikis confirmed on Today that he was named Daniel after his father, but following some confusion, his mom started using his middle name Jason to avoid confusion.

Emma StoneKevin Mazur/Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Emily Stone

Emma Stone ended adopting this stage name after finding out that the Screen Actors Guild already had a member registered under her birthname.

Reese Witherspoon, A Wrinkle in TimeJim Smeal/REX/Shutterstock

Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon

Turns out Reese isn’t even Reese Witherspoon‘s middle name. The actress chose the moniker in honor of her mother, whose maiden name is Reese.

Lana Del ReyJon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

Elizabeth Woolridge Grant

Every artist has an alter ego, and Lana Del Rey just happens to be the persona of choice for the singer.

Frank Ocean, GrammysJason Merritt/Getty Images

Christopher Edwin Breaux

In 2014, Frank Ocean legally changed his name because, why not?

Tina FeyTheo Wargo/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival

Elizabeth Stamatina Fey

A little known fact about 30 Rock‘s Tina Fey is that she is actually named Elizabeth. The comedian made a not so subtle tribute to her birth name by naming her character Liz Lemon.

Snoop Dogg, MTV Movie AwardsJason Merritt/Getty Images

Calvin Broadus

This pioneer of West Coast rap would later go on to be known as Snoop Dogg.

LordeLester Cohen/Getty Images for NARAS

Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O’Connor

Turns out the “Royals” singer is really into learning about the aristocracy, hence the reason why she chose the name Lorde, but with a feminine ‘e.’

Ricky Martin, 'Pippin' Broadway Opening Night 2013Laura Cavanaugh/Getty Images

Enrique Morales

Before he started shaking his bonbon for the masses, music superstar Ricky Martin went by this everyday name.

Iggy Azalea, MTV VMA's 2014Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Amethyst Kelly

It’s hard to believe that Iggy Azalea was born Amethyst Kelly!

Calvin Harris, Vanity Fair Oscar Party 2018Matt Baron/REX/Shutterstock

Adam Richard Wiles

Fans were confused when Taylor Swift thanked then-boyfriend Adam in an acceptance speech, which lead people to the discovery that Calvin Harris is simply a stage name. The DJ told Shortlist magazine he chose the name because his first single was more soulful and wanted something a bit more “racially ambiguous.”

Jennifer AnistonTim P. Whitby/Getty Images

Jennifer Anastassakis

Before she became a household name, this was what erstwhile Friend Jennifer Aniston answered to.

Alicia Keys, GRAMMYS 2014Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Alicia Augello Cook

Alicia Keys didn’t always have such a musical name.

Tom CruiseMike Coppola/WireImage

Thomas Mapother IV

Before he became arguably the biggest movie star in the world, Tom Cruise went by this name.

Natalie PortmanKevin Lee/Getty Images

Natalie Hershlag

Back when she was born in 1980, this was how the future bigtime actress Natalie Portman greeted the world.

Portia de Rossi OscarsJason Merritt/Getty Images

Amanda Lee Rogers

Before she became a big-time TV star and married Ellen DeGeneres, this was the name Portia de Rossi answered to.

Elton JohnJim Dyson/Redferns

Reginald Dwight

Guess music superstar Elton John didn’t think his original name would be a hit with audiences.

Nicole Richie, TCAJeff Vespa/WireImage

Nicole Camilla Escovedo

Check The Simple Life alum Nicole Richie‘s birth certificate and this is the name you’ll see.

BonoJeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Paul Hewson

All it took was a nickname from some high school friends, and U2 frontman Bono‘s famous moniker was born.

Carmen ElectraJason Merritt/Getty Images

Tara Patrick

We agree. Carmen Electra is much more effective when it comes to selling a sexy Baywatch persona.