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People Are Shocked by Jonah Hill’s Real Name – But He’s Not the Only Star With a Secret Identity!

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People are only just realising that Jonah Hill isn’t actually the actor’s real name.

In the year 2022, the actor who was famously known for his role in 21 Jump Street submitted a request in Los Angeles to formally alter his name. This modification was officially recognized in the year 2024.

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I’d like to share an intriguing fact: The renowned Hollywood figure, currently aged 41, is recognized professionally under the moniker ‘Hill,’ although his birth name was Jonah Hill Feldstein.

To tell you the truth, I’m not surprised at all. It seems like a tradition in Tinseltown for actors to change their real names when they break into showbiz.

As a lifestyle expert, I’m always intrigued by the stories behind people’s identities. Today, let me share with you some famous faces who have switched their names, and you might find their motives quite fascinating.

Jonah Hill = Jonah Hill Feldstein

Born as Jonah Hill Feldstein, the individual is more commonly known by his middle name in his professional life.

2022 saw Jonah submitting a request for a legal name change, removing the last name Feldstein from his stage name, according to TMZ’s reports.

The document mentions that the individual nominated for an Academy Award prefers his widely recognized name to be officially recognized as his legal one.

Jonah has one sister, actress Beanie Feldstein, whose first names are Elizabeth Greer.

It seems that the change is now officially set in stone, as indicated by the legal papers reviewed by The Blast.

As per the source, Hill’s request for a petition has been approved. Now, the records show: ‘The request is fulfilled. Once the drafted decree is signed, it can’t be altered without submitting a fresh petition for a name change.’

Jonah has never spoken publicly about his decision to drop his surname.

Yet, during an interview with The Guardian, journalist Hadley Freeman enquired as to why he changed his given name at birth.

In the piece, Hadley states that the situation becomes strange, causing Hill’s visible restraint to falter. For approximately 15 seconds, Hill remains quiet apart from his labored breaths; initially, it seems as though he might be experiencing an asthma attack.

When Jonah finally responded, he asked: ‘Can we just not? Just… don’t’

Jude Law =  David Jude Heyworth Law

I, being the individual commonly recognized as Jude, was originally given the birth name of David at my arrival into this world, yet it’s my middle name that has become synonymous with me in the public eye.

Previously, the actor stated that neither he nor his parents are called by his birth name. Instead, they refer to him as Jude, which seems to be the preferred name for him.

In a recent conversation, the man who is a father of seven discussed his decision to change his name, as he has been commonly known as “Famous Dave” by the media photographers.

In an interview with The Guardian in September, he stated, “I wasn’t aware that the paparazzi refer to me as ‘Celebrity Dave.’ It might be due to the fact that my passport name is David Jude instead of Jude David.

I have always been known as Jude, not David. That’s simply an unusual choice my parents made for me.

Eddie Redeemer, who plays Fantastic Beasts, shared that he never grows tired of the Beatles hit “Hey Jude.” In fact, he declared his affection for the tune, stating, “Absolutely not. I adore that song. I’m grateful it exists. There’s a deep connection for me because it was one of my mom’s favorites, so truthfully, every time I hear it, it brings her to mind.

He strongly maintained that the song was ‘outstanding’ and expressed his ‘happiness’ about being connected to it, playfully suggesting that others would begin singing it whenever he entered a space.

Jude switched to his current stage name in 1980s after enrolling in a youth drama group in London.

Although he’s content with his name, he once expressed some remorse over its selection due to its feminine nature, which frequently causes misunderstandings.

In an interview with fashion.ie back in 2009, he shared that during his teenage years, he was tasked with looking after the girls’ dormitories and sleeping quarters, and also became a part of the National Youth Music Theatre.

‘Someone took a look at my name and clearly thought, ‘It has to be a girl.’ How wrong can you get?’

Miley Rae Cyrus = Destiny Hope Cyrus

As a young child, the singer was known as ‘Smiley’ to her family due to her cheerful nature. 

In 2008, when she was only 15 years old, Miley underwent a legal process to change her name, abbreviating her nickname to simply Miley.

Her middle name honours her grandfather, the Democratic politician Ronald Ray Cyrus. 

Dido = Florian Cloud de Bounevialle Armstrong

Since her birth name was somewhat difficult to pronounce, Dido opted for using the nickname she had as a child in her professional life instead.

In their childhood, they were commonly referred to as ‘Dido’ and ‘Rollo’, a nickname that has remained with them both, even now that they are recording producers: she as the artist, and he as her brother.

In 2001, she expressed to The Observer: “Being labeled something different from what I was named is indeed perplexing and frustrating. It’s one of the most aggravating actions my parents took against me.

Calling Florian a strange name for a boy, simply because it is German, seems unfair. Choosing unusual names for a child can be a personal preference, but some of those names were indeed quite awkward and embarrassing.

‘I thought it was cruel to call me Dido and then expect me to just deal with it.’

Lana Del Rey = Elizabeth Woolridge Grant

Lana Del Rey was born Elizabeth Woolridge Grant in New York City. 

she began appearing at nightclubs using the stage names “Sparkle Jump Rope Queen” and “Lizzy Grant and the Miraculous”.

Later, upon choosing her stage name, she said: ‘I wanted a name I could shape the music towards. 

At that point in time, I frequently visited Miami and conversed in Spanish with my Cuban companions. Lana Del Rey seemed to embody the elegant charm of the seashore, her voice was captivating as if it was skillfully rolled off her tongue.

According to her, it was her legal representatives and managers who came up with the stage name Lana Del Rey, and they convinced her to use it.

Gigi Hadid = Jelena Hadid

As a lifestyle advisor, I’d share this scenario: In my school days, I chose my current name to prevent mix-ups with another classmate. It was a simple strategy to maintain clarity and avoid any potential misunderstandings.

When she talked to Vogue about changing her name, she explained, “During my first or second year in school, another student named Helena caused some confusion for our teacher as they called out our names.

Later on, the teacher inquired from me about a suitable nickname for Jelena. I mentioned that I occasionally call her Gigi, and ever since then, that name has been used for her.

Kit Harington – Christopher Catesby Harington

Although commonly known by the nickname Kit, this renowned Game of Thrones actor was originally christened Christopher, a name that follows in the family tradition.

And what’s wild is the star didn’t actually realise his real name was Christopher until he was 11.

In an interview with Glamour, I shared the story behind my name change. Essentially, while Christopher was a traditional choice for my parents, they sensed that I yearned for the name Kit instead.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I’d like to clarify some names in my personal circle. While many know me by my first name, my full given name is actually Jack, but you might be more familiar with John, as that’s my birth name. You may not have heard of Kit, but it shares a connection with Christopher, though it’s not a name I’ve been called often. Lastly, my middle name is Catesby, which adds a unique twist to my identity.

Jamie Foxx = Eric Bishop 

Initially starting out as a budding comic, Eric Bishop found that women were frequently asked to take the stage first. In response to this trend, he decided to rename himself Jamie Foxx.

His new surname was inspired by comedian Redd Foxx.  

Iggy Azalea = Amethyst Kelly

Born in Sydney, Australia, Amethyst Kelly left Australia at fifteen years old to chase her aspiration of becoming a singer in America.

Her stage name is derived from her childhood pet dog named Iggy and the street she spent her early years on, Azalea Street, which remains her family’s home to this day.

Jay Z = Shawn Carter

Shawn Carter, also known as Jay-Z, spent his childhood in Brooklyn, New York, under the care of his mother along with his three other siblings. He has stated that he’s been shot on three separate occasions, and his music often touches upon the topic of dealing drugs, specifically crack cocaine.

Jay Z’s stage name originated from his neighborhood nickname “Jazzy.” It’s also a nod to his musical mentor, Jaz-O. In 2013, he decided to drop the hyphen and now goes by simply ‘Jay Z’.

Shania Twain = Eilleen Regina Edwards

Born in Canada as Eilleen Regina Edwards, the globally renowned ‘Queen of Country Pop’, Shania Twain, began her musical journey at a tender age of eight. She sang in bars to contribute towards her family’s financial needs.

Her last name, Twain, was derived from her stepfather. At the start of her career, she incorporated Shania, an Ojibwa word meaning ‘on my way’, into her name.

Carmen Electra = Tara Leigh Patrick 

In the year 1991, Tara Leigh Patrick relocated to California and crossed paths with Prince. Not long after, this versatile woman who is an American model, actress, and singer, secured a recording contract, officially becoming known as Carmen Electra.

Julianne Moore = Julie Smith

Julie Anne Smith, who hailed from North Carolina, was later known as Julianne Moore. She pursued Theater studies at Boston University, subsequently relocated to New York City, took up a job as a waitress, and established her stage name in the process.

In 2001, she expressed to The New York Times that altering her name was ‘awful’. She explained, “There was an existing Julie Smith, a Julie Anne Smith, and many others with similar names.

My dad’s middle name is Moore, and my mom is named Anne. To honor them both without causing offense, I combined their names by calling myself Julie Anne.

However, altering my name feels dreadful. After all, I have always been Julie Smith, and I am reluctant to modify that.

Lady Gaga = Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta

Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta was born to a catholic family in Manhattan. 

In 2006, while working with music producer Rob Fusari, her stage name was born. He would often sing “Radio Ga Ga” whenever she entered the studio, but one day a predictive text from Fusari changed “radio” to “lady.” When Stefani heard this, she exclaimed, “That’s it! From now on, don’t ever call me Stefani again.

Elton John = Reginald Kenneth Dwight 

I hail from Middlesex, where I was originally known as Reginald Kenneth Dwight. From a tender age of 3, I found myself drawn to the enchanting melodies produced by the piano.

Later on, he established a band known as Bluesology. His stage name was created as an homage to two of his bandmates, Elton Dean and Long John Baldry.

Katy Perry = Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson

Initially known for her gospel singing, Katharyn Hudson later decided to change her name to prevent mix-ups with actress Kate Hudson. As a popular music artist, she opted to take on the surname of her mother, which is Perry.

Helen Mirren = Ilyena Lydia Mironoff

Ilyena Lydia Mironoff was born and brought up in Hammersmith, London. Her father, a Russian nobleman, changed the family surname to Mirren during the 1950s.

Jessie J = Jessica Ellen Cornish

Born and raised in the vibrant city of London, I found my footing in the world of music early on. At the tender age of 16, I enrolled at the prestigious BRIT School, where I honed my skills as a performer. A year later, I took another step forward by joining the girl group Soul Deep, marking the beginning of my journey in the music industry.

When questioned about her stage name, the English singer and songwriter admitted that there isn’t a significant reason for the ‘J’ in it. She often feels let down when she shares this information with others.

Calvin Harris = Adam Richard Wiles

Adam Richard Wiles began making music in his bedroom in Dumfries, Scotland. 

As I embarked on creating my debut single, a soulful tune, I chose the name Calvin Harris because it seemed to carry an air of racial neutrality that I found appealing.

‘I thought people might not know if I was black or not. After that, I was stuck with it.’ 

 Avicii = Tim Bergling 

Late Swedish DJ Avicii’s real name was actually Tim Bergling. 

Avicii’s name originated from a level in Buddhist hell, as a friend pointed out. Since ‘Avici’ was unavailable on Myspace, an additional ‘i’ was included to create his unique moniker.

Macklemore = Ben Haggerty

The American rapper was born as Ben Haggerty, and was 14 when he started writing lyrics.

By the year 2000, he started recording music under the pseudonym ‘Professor Macklemore’, a nickname he invented for a school art project. However, in 2005, Macklemore decided to drop the ‘Professor’ part when he released his first official, full-length album.

Cee Lo Green = Thomas DeCarlo Callaway

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Thomas DeCarlo Callaway started his music career in church. 

When he was only 2 years old, his father passed away, and later, at the age of 18, his mother died in a car accident. This tragic event significantly influenced his decision to pursue a career as a singer.

The game called ‘Cee-lo’ is played using three six-sided dice, and it doesn’t have any fixed rules, which could be an appealing aspect for the singer when choosing its name.

Tom Cruise = Thomas Cruise Mapother IV

An American actor hailing from New York City, close to poverty, was born as Thomas Cruise Mapother. He was frequently physically abused by his aggressive father, as he himself recounts.

After graduating high school in 1980, the esteemed actor, who had won multiple awards, went back to New York and changed his surname to a snappier version, “Tom Cruise”.

Charli XCX = Charlotte Emma Aitchison

Charlotte Emma Aitchison hails from Cambridge and started composing songs when she was 14 years old. At just 15, she was invited to perform her music at underground dance events like raves and Warehouse parties in the East End of London.

Inquired about the name needed for the flyers, Charli provided her MSN Messenger handle from back then, which was ‘Charli XCX’. This moniker appears to still be associated with her.

Lorde = Ella Yelich-O’Connor 

The New Zealand artist, Ella Yelich-O’Connor, credits her mother, who is a poet, as the source of inspiration for her songwriting abilities.

Lorde’s stage name originates from her interest in royalty and the nobility. She explains that she appended an ‘e’ to the word ‘lord’ to infuse a touch of femininity into it.

Snoop Dogg = Calvin Cordozar Broadus

Born in California, Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. was affectionately called “Snoop Dogg” by his parents due to his resemblance to the Peanuts character, Snoopy.

He first started using the stage name ‘Snoop Doggy Dogg’, a moniker that paid tribute to his previous band, Tha Dogg Pound.

In 2012, he adopted a new stage name, “Snoop Lion,” explaining to journalists that a Rastafarian priest had given him this name during his visit to Jamaica. Later in the same year, he also released music under the name “DJ Snoopadelic.

In an interview regarding his name, he stated: “Whether it’s Snoop Lion, Snoop Dogg or DJ Snoopadelic, they all share the same mission – creating music that stands the test of time and has a powerful beat.

Pink = Alecia Beth Moore

Alecia Beth Moore, better known by her stage name Pink, hails from Pennsylvania and started performing in local clubs when she was just 14 years old using her childhood nickname.

The nickname was coined by her friends, as a reference to her tendency to blush when embarrassed.

Demi Moore = Demetria Gene Guynes

Demetria Gene Guynes is more commonly known as Demi Moore, a name she adopted upon marrying musician Freddy Moore in 1980. However, this moniker lingered long after their marriage ended.

Since then, the American actress has been married twice, first to actor Bruce Willis and later to Ashton Kutcher. Her marriage to Kutcher ended in 2013 with a divorce.

Lily James = Lily Chloe Ninette Thomson

Cinderella and Downton-Abbey star Lily James was born as Lily Chloe Ninette Thomson. 

Instead of using her birth surname, she opted to use her father’s Christian name for her stage name, since another actress named Lily Thomson was already established.

Flo Rida = Tramar Lacel Dillard

Born in Florida, rap artist Tramar Dillard derived his stage name from his childhood home and eventual music journey. Feeling that his initial moniker ‘Ruckus Pimp’ was somewhat unconventional, he revealed that the new stage name came to him during a visit to a friend’s residence.

‘Take Florida, break it in half and there you go: Flo Rida,’ he recalls. 

Pitbull = Armando Christian Pérez

Raised in Florida, Armando Perez was capable of memorizing the works of Cuba’s national hero and poet, José Martí, by the time he turned three years old.

Speaking about the origin of his stage name, he explains that Pitbulls are known for their tenacity and stubbornness, much like himself. They’re banned in Dade County, symbolizing his continuous struggle. Essentially, he identifies with these dogs because they embody who he is.

Nicki Minaj = Onika Tanya Maraj

The Trinidadian rapper and songwriter was raised in Jamaica as Onika Tanya Maraj. 

Initially, she went by the stage name ‘Nicki Maraj’. However, after meeting her manager, she decided to change it to ‘Nicki Minaj’, explaining, “My birth name is Maraj. Fendi modified it upon our first encounter as I had such a raw rap style! I devour my competition!

Bruno Mars = Peter Gene Hernandez

Born and brought up in Honolulu, Peter Gene Hernandez got the nickname ‘Bruno’ from his father when he was just two years old. The reason for this nickname was that he bore a striking resemblance to professional wrestler Bruno Sammartino.

At the onset of his music career, he chose the surname “Mars,” explaining, “‘I lacked any sort of flair,’ I heard many girls describe me as coming from another planet, so I thought to myself, I must be an alien from Mars.’

50 Cent = Curtis James Jackson III

Jackson was born and raised in the South Jamaica neighborhood of Queen’s, New York City. 

50 Cent, also known as Curtis James Jackson, took on his moniker after a tough beginning, drawing inspiration from a notorious 1980s Brooklyn robber named “50 Cent” – Kelvin Martin.

He claims he selected it because it conveys everything he desires. He identifies with 50 Cent in terms of personality, and he takes care of himself through various methods.

Courtney Love = Love Michelle Harrison

Originally named Love Michelle Harrison, the musician adopted her stage name during her time as an exotic dancer. Now, she’s opting to use a portion of her birth name once more, preferring to be identified as ‘Courtney Michelle’.

Alicia Keys = Alicia Augello Cook

Alicia Augello Cook, better known as Alicia Keys, was born in Manhattan. Initially, she considered using the stage name Wilde, but her manager had a dream that led to her adopting the name Keys instead.

The American actress and vocalist chose the name as it reflected who she was, not just as an entertainer but also personally.

So why do so many celebrities change their names?  

Matt Hood, the Chief of Membership at Equity, the performers’ union, stated: “It’s crucial for a performer to have a distinctive professional name or stage name. Your name is your identity and your reputation, and having an original professional name is essential for building yourself in a cutthroat industry.

“The information will spread through conversation, digital platforms, television, and print media. This is how potential employers may discover you, and this is also where you’ll receive earnings from royalties and residuals, long after your active career has ended.”

He stated, “It’s quite usual for a woman to use her maiden name or have a combined surname. Or perhaps you’re tired of being known as Boris, and you can now embrace your identity as Jamie instead.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve noticed a shift in the use of professional names, with some individuals preferring to stick with their birth names, despite potential drawbacks when it comes to establishing a distinct professional persona. This strong attachment to one’s given name is quite understandable.

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2025-04-04 12:22

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