Learn why these A-list celebrities ditched their childhood&nbsp;names&nbsp;to&nbsp;create&nbsp;a new alias.&nbsp;

Remember those childhood nicknames that would make you cringe? Even celebrities can't shake nicknames or frequent mispronunciations. Whether it's an ode to a family member or favorite animal, all of these celebrities left behind their birth names to make a new reputation in Hollywood.&nbsp;

Halsey - Ashley Nicolette Frangipane&nbsp;

Born and raised in&nbsp;suburban&nbsp;New&nbsp;Jersey,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/music/halsey-announces-new-album-instagram-pregnant" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Halsey</a>&nbsp;was accustomed to taking&nbsp;the&nbsp;subway to&nbsp;visit nearby New York. Her stage name commemorates youthful memories made near Brookyln&rsquo;s&nbsp;Halsey Street. However, when you look&nbsp;closely&nbsp;you can carefully see that Halsey just so happens to be&nbsp;an anagram&nbsp;of Ashley.&nbsp;It seems like the well-known&nbsp;name was meant to be.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Miley Cyrus &ndash; Destiny Hope Cyrus&nbsp;

No, the star's real name is not Hannah Montana. Growing up, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/miley-cyrus-style-evolution-plastic-hearts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cyrus</a> was frequently called "Smiley" by her famous parents, which eventually was shortened to Miley. When Cyrus started her career at just 13 years old, she felt it was only suitable to use her childhood nickname. In 2008, Cyrus legally changed her name to Miley, forever leaving behind Destiny.

Lil Nas X - Montero Lamar Hill&nbsp;

The <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/men/lil-nas-x-viral-moments-birthday-rapper">"Old Town Road" rapper</a> opened up on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon about the comical origins of his birth name. Originally born Montero Lamar Hill, the meaning behind his first name is "slightly embarrassing." The star explains that at the time of his birth, his mother's dream car was a Mitsubishi Montero. Yes,&nbsp;Hill was originally named after a car. When picking his stage name, the rapper wanted to honor his rap idols whose names started with the article "Lil."&nbsp;Prior to finding fame, Hill used the alias Nas&nbsp;X&nbsp;to produce music online.&nbsp;

During&nbsp;<a class="Hyperlink SCXW84774407 BCX0" href="https://www.wired.com/video/watch/anna-kendrick-blake-lively-answer-the-web-s-most-searched-questions?c=series" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wired</a><a class="Hyperlink SCXW84774407 BCX0" href="https://www.wired.com/video/watch/anna-kendrick-blake-lively-answer-the-web-s-most-searched-questions?c=series" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&rsquo;s</a><a class="Hyperlink SCXW84774407 BCX0" href="https://www.wired.com/video/watch/anna-kendrick-blake-lively-answer-the-web-s-most-searched-questions?c=series" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a> "Autocomplete Interview," <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/blake-lively-postpartum-body-clothes-struggle">Blake </a><a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/blake-lively-postpartum-body-clothes-struggle">Lively</a> left fans stunned when she joked that she was named after her grandmother&rsquo;s deceased brother, who was...murdered. Originally born Blake Brown, the&nbsp;Gossip Girl&nbsp;actress changed her last name to her mother&rsquo;s surname, Lively. Shortly after Blake ditched her former last name, her two siblings followed and adopted Lively as well. However, the verdict is still out to determine if there really is a whodunnit crime to be solved.&nbsp;

Nicki Minaj - Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/nicki-minaj-new-music-nude-instagram-crocs-chanel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nicki</a><a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/nicki-minaj-new-music-nude-instagram-crocs-chanel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Minaj</a> has never been one&nbsp;to&nbsp;shy away from speaking her mind, even when it comes to her own name. Barbs around the world were shocked to learn that Minaj outspokenly dislikes her name. Originally named Onika, Minaj felt pressure from producers and managers to change her name to something trendier. During an interview with&nbsp;<a class="Hyperlink SCXW192878203 BCX0" href="https://www.thelist.com/420540/the-real-reason-nicki-minaj-changed-her-name/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Guardian,</a>&nbsp;Minaj explained that her close friends and family do not call her by her stage name.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Machine Gun Kelly - Colson Baker&nbsp;

Prior to his rap-turned-punk career, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/machine-gun-kelly-meghan-fox-blood-necklace" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Machine Gun Kelly</a> had humble beginnings. Growing up with missionary parents, MGK spent most of his childhood from place to place. Although he never stayed long, MGK refers to Kelly, Ohio, as home. The name Machine Gun Kelly was initially coined by the notorious 1950's gangster George Barnes. In an interview with&nbsp;<a class="Hyperlink SCXW122753807 BCX0" href="https://first-avenue.com/performer/machine-gun-kelly/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">First Avenue</a>, MGK explains, "I got the name Machine Gun Kelly because of my rapid-fire delivery when I was 15 and started doing shows." The tempo of the rapper's delivery and hometown reference makes the name a perfect match.&nbsp;

Mindy Kaling - Vera Mindy Chokalingam&nbsp;

The Indian-American comedian admits she has always preferred her middle name and grew up being called Mindy. Her devoutly Hindu parents initially chose the name Vera to honor the rebirth of Hindu goddesses. However, Mindy's family agrees that her middle name is a much better fit. At the start of her career as a comedian and writer, Mindy's last name was frequently mispronounced. So, to avoid confusion, the comedian shortened her last name to Kaling.&nbsp;

Doja Cat - Amala Ratna Zandile Diamin&nbsp;

Doja Cat consistently secures herself a spot on the top charts with one hit song after another, many of which go viral on TikTok. At the start of her career, the "Say So" singer confessed that she was heavily influenced by weed and chose to name herself after her favorite strand, &ldquo;doja,&rdquo; which sounded like a girl's name. Diamin has had a long love of animals, especially cats, and the rapper felt like it was the perfect personal touch to complete her well-known stage name. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Katy Perry - Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson

As the daughter of traveling Pentecostal ministers, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/katy-perry-interview-music-baby-orlando-bloom" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Katy Perry</a> found her passion for singing through participating in her community church choir. When growing up, the star was known in her hometown of Santa Barbara as Katy Hudson. No, not Kate Hudson&mdash;Katy. See where this could get confusing? To avoid confusion with the Hollywood actress, the singer adopted her mother&rsquo;s maiden, Perry, shortly after moving to Los Angeles.&nbsp;

Frank Ocean - Christopher Edwin Breaux&nbsp;

The Blonde artist's stage name was inspired by the Ocean&rsquo;s 11 heist mastermind Danny Ocean. The rapper legally changed his last name on his 23rd birthday. The star explains that he never felt his birthname suited him and was eager to create a name that felt like a better fit. During a 2011 interview with <a class="Hyperlink SCXW91405758 BCX0" href="https://www.complex.com/music/2011/03/who-is-frank-ocean/billy-ocean" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Complex</a>,&nbsp;the <a href="https://preview.lofficielusa.com/fashion/frank-ocean-luxury-jewelry-company-homer-prada-collaboration" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ocean</a> shared, &ldquo;I changed my name on my birthday last year. It was the most empowering shit I did in 2010, for sure. I went on LegalZoom and changed my fucking name.&rdquo;

Maluma - Juan Luis Londo&ntilde;o Arias&nbsp;

During an appearance on <a class="Hyperlink SCXW146453822 BCX0" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_SoWYi_fVA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Tonight Show</a>, Maluma successfully won the crowd over while sharing the family-oriented sentiment behind his stage name. The Columbian singer explains, &ldquo;My mom&rsquo;s name is&nbsp;Marlli, my father&rsquo;s name is Luis, and my sister&rsquo;s name is Manuela.&nbsp;So&nbsp;I took the first letters of each name and put it as my&nbsp;artist&nbsp;name.&rdquo; Maluma's thoughtful ode takes the meaning of a "family name"&nbsp;to a whole new level.&nbsp;

Coming from a long line of journalists, it is no surprise that <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/olivia-wilde-praises-boyfriend-harry-styles-dont-worry-darling-movie-wraps-instagram" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Don't Worry Darling director</a>&nbsp;felt compelled to honor the works of Oscar Wilde. Shortly after turning 18, the star changed her last name from Cockburn to &ldquo;Wilde.&rdquo;&nbsp;The young star was inspired by her role as&nbsp;Gwendolyn in her high school&rsquo;s production of&nbsp;The Importance of Being Earnest.<span class="EOP SCXW40180925 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}">&nbsp;

12 Celebrities Who Don't Use Their Real Names

Tags

Related Articles

Pop culture

13 Celebrity Friendships You Didn’t Know Existed

Pop culture

13 Celebrity Co-Star Couples You Didn't Know Dated

Pop culture

Celebrities You Didn't Know Were Related

Recommended posts for you

Fashion

New NYC Store Openings in 2024

Be Well

What Is the Winter Arc? The Self-Improvement Trend Taking Over Social Media

Pop culture

All the Celebrities at Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024

Fashion

Get a Sneak Peek At Sabrina Carpenter’s Outfits for Her Netflix Christmas Special

Fashion

Los Angeles Fashion Week Gets Closer to Finding Itself in 2024

L'Officiel Art

Your Ultimate Guide to Art Basel Miami Beach 2024: Galleries, Exhibitions, and Events

Pop culture

Discover Paul Mescal’s Best Films and Series’ to Watch After 'Gladiator II'

Fashion

Of Course Telfar’s New NYC Store Isn’t Like Any Other