Saturday, August 23, 2025
  • Lowyat.NET
  • Lipstiq
  • Murai MY
  • Miss Murai
  • Varnam
  • Moviedash
  • Autofreaks
No Result
View All Result
Hype Malaysia
  • Hype Picks
    • Go
    • Eats
    • Style
    • Streams
    • Concerts
  • Celebs
    • K-pop
  • Music
    • Reviews
    • Interviews & Features
  • Movies & TV
    • Movies
    • TV
    • Features
  • Lifestyle
    • Tech
    • Travels
    • News
  • Giveaways
    • Contests
Hype Malaysia
  • Hype Picks
    • Go
    • Eats
    • Style
    • Streams
    • Concerts
  • Celebs
    • K-pop
  • Music
    • Reviews
    • Interviews & Features
  • Movies & TV
    • Movies
    • TV
    • Features
  • Lifestyle
    • Tech
    • Travels
    • News
  • Giveaways
    • Contests
No Result
View All Result
Hype Malaysia
No Result
View All Result
Home Celebrity

10 Celebs Who Changed Their Names, & For Good Reasons!

by Lainey
September 26, 2014
319
SHARES
Share on FacebookShare on Whatsapp

Think you know everything about your favourite celebrity or some of the world’s most popular people? Think again! You see, the media will often tell you everything from what’s hot to what’s not, to what’s happening and who’s dating – but more often than not they don’t tell you who Ella Maria Lani Yelich-O’Connor is 😉

There are a lot of stars who’ve changed their real names before they were famous, whether it’s because their real names are long and therefore hard to remember or they just simply want interesting monikers. For example, Miley Cyrus’ real name is actually really sweet and pretty – Destiny Hope Cyrus. We know, right?

Here are some other celebrities whose real names will surprise you:

1. Born: Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson

Katy Perry Real Name

Nope, not Goldie Hawn’s daughter aka Kate Hudson! We’re talking about pop superstar, Katy Perry. The quirky singer changed her last name to Perry (her mother’s maiden name) to avoid being mistaken for the actress Kate Hudson. Can’t blame her, it was too easy, just too easy.

2. Born: Natalie Hershlag

Natalie Portman Real Name

After landing her first role in Luc Besson‘s “Leon the Professional”, Natalie changed her surname. She took her paternal grandmother’s maiden name, “Portman”, as her stage name in the interest of privacy and to protect her family’s identity. She kept it to protect her privacy even as her (now highly successful) acting career continued.

3. Born: Joaquin Rafael Bottom

Joaquin Phoenix Real Name

Gosh, the kids in school must’ve had a field day during his time. Luckily, Joaquin Phoenix’s changed the family’s last name after leaving the “Children of God” religion in the 70s. To be fair, his late brother also suffered the same fate of carrying the same surname until it was changed. His brother’s name was River Jude Bottom aka River Phoenix.

4. Born: Olivia Jane Cockburn

Olivia Wilde Real Name

Olivia Wilde changed her named in high school and well, we can see why. It’s amazing that she made it all the way right into high school well and sane! She adopted her stage name in honour of Irish author Oscar Wilde. Talk about the coolest stage name. Ever. Definitely made up for the not-so-cool high school times.

5. Born: Maurice Joseph Micklewhite

Michael Caine Real Name

Michael Caine’s first stage name was Michael Scott, but it was already taken—and the name he settled on was inspired by the fact that he happened to see “The Caine Mutiny” was playing at a theatre at the moment he had to decide. Today, Michael Caine is synonymous with Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” trilogy character Alfred Pennyworth aka Batman’s loyal and trustworthy butler.

6. Born: Demetria Guynes

Demi Moore Real Name

Demi Moore got her last name from her first husband, Freddy Moore. Before their marriage, Demi began using Freddy’s surname as her stage name. While the new name worked out well, their marriage didn’t. But the name stuck even after her marriages with Bruce Willis (with whom she has 3 daughters) and Ashton Kutcher.

7. Born: Caryn Johnson

Whoopi Goldberg Real Name

Her stage name was taken from a Whoopee Cushion. She once said, “You know, when you work in the theater sometimes, you do quick changes and you’re running around and, sometimes you’re just letting go. And it became, that was the joke: Whoopi.” Her mother told her she would do better in Hollywood with a Jewish surname – Hence, Whoopi Goldberg.

8. Born: Peter Gene Hernandez

Bruno Mars Real Name

This dude now goes by the nickname his father gave him as a youngster – Bruno. And he chose the surname “Mars” because, well, his Hispanic surname meant that people from the music industry would try to pigeonhole him as another Latino artist, and even convince him to sing in Spanish. So he changed it to “Mars” to avoid being stereotyped. Bruno Mars.

9. Nikolina Konstantinova Dobreva

Nina Dobrev Real Name

Friends and family know her by that name, they don’t call her anything else. But as an actress, the “The Vampire Diaries” star assumed the abbreviated title of Nina Dobrev. Her given birth name, however, is an impressively long one, and telling of her Bulgarian roots. Hmm. Doesn’t Nikolina sound like an authentic vampire-ish name though? It’s meant to be!

10. Ella Maria Lani Yelich-O’Connor

Lorde Real Name

This artiste’s real name is Ella Maria Lani Yelich-O’Connor, a beautiful name if you ask us. But she decided to go with a stage name for her pop persona. Why? She explained, “Lorde is a character. Ever since I was a little kid, I have been really into royals and aristocracy. So to make ‘Lord’ more feminine, I just put an ‘e’ on the end! Some people think it’s religious, but it’s not.”

Which one surprised you the most? Do you know of any other celebs with “secret real names” that you’d like to share with us? Leave us a comment in the comments box below!

Lorde Real Name
https://lomp.at/qazee
Share128SendTweet80Share

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news. 

FOLLOW THE HYPE

SOURCE: INSTAGRAM (@elihsiehmusic)
Celebrity

Taiwanese Singer Eli Hsieh Reportedly Gone Missing

by Adleena
August 22, 2025

Whenever someone goes missing or loses contact, it’s a call for concern. Recently, reports have emerged that Taiwanese singer-songwriter Eli...

Read more
SOURCE: TWITTER (@mefeater)
Celebrity

Lil Nas X Arrested & Hospitalised After Roaming LA Streets Half-Naked

Lil Nas X may not be the most demure, but a recent incident has sparked concern over the star's well-being....

Read more
by Adleena
August 22, 2025
SOURCE: INSTAGRAM (@annajobling)
Celebrity

(Video) Anna Jobling Receives Nomination For “Outstanding Asian Star” In Seoul Award Ceremony

Local actress Anna Jobling is reaching new heights in her career! The star was recently nominated at a South Korean...

Read more
by Adleena
August 22, 2025
SOURCE: FACEBOOK (Fan Bingbing 范冰冰)
Celebrity

Fan Bingbing To Receive Honorary Datuk Title From Melaka This Sunday

It appears that Chinese actress Fan Bingbing (范冰冰) will soon add another accolade to her name. To celebrate her contribution...

Read more
by Adleena
August 22, 2025
SOURCE: INSTAGRAM (@glenpowell)
Celebrity

Glen Powell Thinks He’s Not The Right Guy To Play James Bond

While the new James Bond movie has found its director, the project has yet to find its leading man. Amongst...

Read more
by Adleena
August 21, 2025
Source: IG/ctdk, Twitter/heizetatler
Celebrity

Malaysians React To Siti Nurhaliza Appearing In Filipino Textbook

At school, we not only learn about our own country’s history but also study aspects of world history. Within the...

Read more
by Afiq Amin
August 21, 2025
Source: IG/nadeen.m.ayoub
Celebrity

Nadeen Ayoub: Meet The First Woman To Represent Palestine For Miss Universe 2025

With all eyes now on Palestine, there is a growing need for more public figures to speak out against the...

Read more
by Afiq Amin
August 21, 2025
SOURCES: INSTAGRAM (@yifei_cc) & TWITTER (@XiaoZhan_OFC)
Celebrity

Liu Yifei & Xiao Zhan To Film In Malaysia For Upcoming Movie?

Malaysia has been the filming location for many international projects, including the Hollywood film “Worth The Wait”. Now, reports are...

Read more
by Adleena
August 21, 2025
Load More


TOP STORIES TODAY

  1. 1

    (Video) Zarina Anjoulie Sparks Criticism For Hanging Out With Controversial Figure Hot Daddy

  2. 2

    (Video) Japanese Influencer & Family Reportedly Receive Death Threats From Restaurant Owner In Malaysia

  3. 3

    Fans Speculate On BLACKPINK Lisa’s Ex-Boyfriend’s Identity Following “DREAM” Short Film Release

  4. 4

    Local Content Creator Huan Ooi Apologises For Inappropriate Behaviour Towards Women

  5. 5

    Meet The Singing Voices Behind Saja Boys From Netflix’s “K-Pop Demon Hunters”

Malaysia’s live-wire for the latest news, trends, and entertainment is finally here. We are your calendar, your grapevine, your comic relief, your post-event coverage, and your celebrity stalker. Did we also mention that we are also your gateway to the world?



Contact us: newsdesk@hype.my



  • About
  • Advertise
  • Jobs
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy

©2025 Vijandren Ramadass. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Hype Picks
    • Go
    • Eats
    • Style
    • Streams
    • Concerts
  • Celebs
    • K-pop
  • Music
    • Reviews
    • Interviews & Features
  • Movies & TV
    • Movies
    • TV
    • Features
  • Lifestyle
    • Tech
    • Travels
    • News
  • Giveaways
    • Contests

©2025 Vijandren Ramadass. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Hype Picks
    • Go
    • Eats
    • Style
    • Streams
    • Concerts
  • Celebs
    • K-pop
  • Music
    • Reviews
    • Interviews & Features
  • Movies & TV
    • Movies
    • TV
    • Features
  • Lifestyle
    • Tech
    • Travels
    • News
  • Giveaways
    • Contests

©2025 Vijandren Ramadass. All Rights Reserved.