Not all celebrities are born with the perfect show biz name. Some names are too long, some sound silly, and some just lack that certain Hollywood pizzazz. Imagine if your name was Cornelius Hunchback? Don’t worry … none of these names are THAT bad! Check out the real names of some well-known actors, musicians and athletes.
Actors
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus was so sweet playing Hannah Montana on the hit Disney Channel TV show. She may currently be trying to shed that “good-girl” image, but her REAL name is always gonna sound sweet as honey: Destiny Hope Cyrus.
Tom Cruise
Cruise is a pretty smooth-sounding last name, but Tom Cruise's birth name was Thomas Cruise Mapother IV. We can see why he decided to drop the Mapother IV. It's not exactly catchy and sounds like the name of some stuffy old royal.
Reese Witherspoon
This Legally Blonde star didn't make up her name; she just altered her birth name. She was born Laura Jean Reese Witherspoon. Did you really think she'd make up the name Reese Witherspoon?
Winona Ryder
Actress Winona Ryder wasn't born with this last name. Her birth name is Winona Laura Horowitz. We think Ryder was a nice steal. Speaking of which...
Ashton Kutcher
The womanizing hottie from That '70s Show was born Christopher Ashton Kutcher. Isn't Ashton a nice name? It's original, and has a nice ring to it.
Demi Moore
Ashton Kutcher's leading lady, Demi Moore, was born Demetria Guynes. Sounds more like a name from Greek mythology.
Musicians
Lady Gaga
Lady G's music is definitely the hottest on the charts right now, but how much of that has to do with her creative stage name, which is definitely a lot more “in your face” than the name her mom gave her at birth: Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta.
50 Cent
He’s a rapper whose real name seems kinda tame (and has nothing to do with all the money he talks about in his lyrics). No wonder 50 Cent changed his name from Curtis Jackson.
Cher
We’re thinking that maybe Cher chopped her real name - Cherilyn Sarkisian LaPiere - to match some of the teeny-tiny outfits she wears on stage (or the plastic surgery she’s received over the years).
Eminem
Here’s another rapper whose given name just doesn’t seem “bad” enough to go with his lyrics. Eminem's birth name is Marshall Bruce Mathers III.
Alicia Keys
Keys is a musical last name, but this piano-playin' songstress was born Alicia Augello Cook, which isn't nearly as elegant as the name Alicia Keys.
Busta Rhymes
This fly rapper wasn't actually busting rhymes when he was born. Busta Rhymes' birth name is Trevor Tahiem Smith.
Bruno Mars
The "That's What I Like" singer was nicknamed Bruno for the cutest reason: because he was a chubby baby. Bruno's birth name is Peter Gene Hernandez.
Rihanna
Real name: Robyn Rihanna Fenty. She still goes by Robyn with friends and family. "When I hear 'Robyn,' I pay attention," she told Rolling Stone.
Athletes
As the best pro golfer in the entire world, it makes a lot of sense that Tiger Woods opts to use a nickname in place of his real name, which is Eldrick.
Have Your Say
Do you know of a celeb or singer who isn't going by their true identity? If ya do, leave your a comment below this story!
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