The surprising real names of 30 musicians

Kirsten AcunaJun 16, 2020, 22:38 IST

Katy Perry, Jason Derulo, Cardi B., and SZA all changed up their names.Christopher Polk/Getty Images, Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for CATS, Rich Fury/Getty Images for Fashion Nova, David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Many singers have changed their names in order to break into the music industry.
But you probably aren't familiar with how they ended up with their current monikers.
Singers like Halsey and Frank Ocean have said they didn't like their birth names and decided to change them.
Others, like Lizzo and Miley, say their professional names are based off of childhood nicknames.
Here are the stories of how 30 musicians acquired their stage names.

Lady Gaga — Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta

Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta was born and raised in New York City. Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Cardi B. — Belcalis Almanzar

Cardi B. came from an Instagram name. Rich Fury/Getty Images for Fashion Nova

Lil Nas X — Montero Lamar Hill

Lil Nas X's stage name started as a simple alias. Rich Fury/Getty Images

Halsey — Ashley Frangipane

Halsey didn't like her birth name Ashley. Taylor Hill/WireImage

The Weeknd — Abel Makkonen Tesfaye

Tesfaye came up with The Weeknd after dropping out of high school. Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Billie Eilish — Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O'Connell

Billie Eilish is named after her grandfather. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Miley Cyrus — Destiny Hope Cyrus

Miley is a nod to a nickname her father gave her, too. David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Jason Derulo — Jason Desrouleaux

Derulo is just easier to spell. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Lizzo — Melissa Jefferson

Lizzo accepts her award at the 51st NAACP Image Awards. Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for BET

Katy Perry — Kathryn (Katy) Hudson

Katy Perry didn't want to be confused with Kate Hudson. Christopher Polk/Getty Images

Elton John — Reginald Kenneth Dwight

Elton John changed his name in 1972. Mike Segar/Reuters

Drake — Aubrey Drake Graham

It's hard to even remember Drake's "Degrassi" days now. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Rihanna — Robyn Rihanna Fenty

Rihanna may not pay attention to you unless you call her Robyn. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Bergdorf Goodman

Frank Ocean — Christopher Lonny Breaux

Frank Ocean says if you don't like your name, change it. Vegard Grott/AFP/GettyImages

Iggy Azalea — Amethyst Amelia Kelly

Iggy's stage name comes from a combination of her dog, named after Iggy Pop, and the street where she grew up. Gary Gershoff / Getty Images

John Legend — John Rogers Stephens

A friend noticed John Legend's talent was legendary. Rich Polk/Getty Images for The Art of Elysium

Nicki Minaj — Onika Tanya Maraj

Minaj isn't a fan of her stage name. Mike Coppola/Getty Images for People.com

G-Eazy — Gerald Earl Gillum

Before he was G-Eazy, he was G.E. Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Bruno Mars — Peter Gene Hernandez

Bruno Mars' dad gave him his nickname when he was only two. Christopher Polk/Getty Images

P!nk — Alecia Beth Moore

The singer has said her name was inspired by a Quentin Tarantino movie. Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP

Eminem — Marshall Bruce Mathers III

Eminem made a surprise performance at the 2020 Oscars. Axelle/Bauer-Griffin / Getty Images

T-Pain — Faheem Rasheed Najm

The T in T-Pain stands for Tallahassee. Jemal Countess/FilmMagic

Ne-Yo — Schaffer Chimere Smith Jr.

Ne-Yo got his name from Keanu Reeves' character in "The Matrix." Tibrina Hobson/Getty

Lana Del Rey — Elizabeth Woolridge Grant

Lana Del Rey released her first album as Lizzy Grant, but it failed. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Macklemore — Benjamin Haggerty

Macklemore was Benjamin's superhero name. Andreas Rentz/Getty Images

Lorde — Ella Maria Lani Yelich-O'Connor

Lorde has nothing to do with religious connotations. Charles Sykes/Invision/AP

Ellie Goulding — Elena Jane Goulding

Elle is actually Elena. Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Snoop Dogg — Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr.

Do you think Snoop Dogg looks like Snoopy? Richard Shotwell/AP

SZA — Solana Imani Rowe

SZA's name is an acronym for her name. David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Bono — Paul David Hewson

Bono alludes to the singer's talent. Mark Sagliocco/Getty Images

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