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7 celebrities who don't use their real name: From Meghan Markle to Elton John

There are some that may surprise you!

Meghan Markle and Elton John
Phoebe Tatham
Content Writer
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Our monikers say a lot about us! They're with us from the cradle to the grave and set us up for life.

Despite our parents' best efforts, our names don't always hit the mark. Whether it is at odds with our personality or just doesn't feel 'right,' sometimes the only solution lies in a drastic name change.

But we're not alone… Did you know that the likes of Meghan Markle and Elton John use names that weren't given to them at birth? Keep scrolling to discover HELLO!'s most surprising finds…

Nicolas Cage

Nicolas Cage on the red carpet© Getty
Nicolas Cage was born into the Coppola family

In a bid to avoid the dreaded 'nepo baby' label, Nicolas changed his surname from his original Coppola to Cage. He decided to opt for a different name so as not to be associated with his famous uncle, Francis Ford Coppola. Nicolas allegedly took inspiration from comic book hero, Luke Cage.

Meghan Markle

Meghan Markle© Getty
Meghan Markle is married to Prince Harry

The former Suits actress' full name is actually Rachel Meghan Markle – the same Christian name as her on-screen character, Rachel Zane.

The mother-of-two has never explained the reason behind her name change. We suspect, like many actors, the star scrapped her original moniker for a catchier stage name.

Gigi Hadid

Gigi Hadid at the 2022 Met Gala© Getty
Gigi Hadid at the 2022 Met Gala

American supermodel Gigi Hadid changed her name from Jelena (not to be confused with Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez's 'ship' name) to her sweet nickname "Gigi." According to Vogue Paris, the model's famous mother Yolanda invented the name "Gigi".

READ: 5 couples who ended up together after meeting on set

MORE: Harry and Meghan: Major clue the couple have responded to coronation invite

Speaking to Style.com, the blonde beauty revealed: "In first or second grade, there was a girl named Helena and it got confusing with the teacher who had to call out our names, and so the teacher asked my mum, 'If I needed to call Jelena a nickname, what would it be?' And my mum was like, 'I call her Gigi sometimes,' and the name stuck."

Elton John

Elton John performing on stage© Getty
Elton John is a father-of-two

Legendary musician Sir Elton John's original name is actually Reginald Kenneth Dwight. Later in life, the star reportedly grew to dislike his name. In an 1987 interview, the Rocket Man singer explained: "When I became Elton John, it was like a new lease on life.

"I didn't particularly like being Reg Dwight. It had too many unhappy memories." According to various reports, the global star's new first name was inspired by his fellow bandmate, Elton Dean. John, meanwhile, was borrowed from musician Long John Baldry.

Bruno Mars

Bruno Mars at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards© Getty
Bruno Mars at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards

Peter Gene Hernandez is known by his stage name, Bruno Mars. The star's dad was reportedly behind the name change. "My dad has nicknamed me Bruno since I was two years old," he told Latina Magazine. As for his surname? "I was going to go by 'Bruno,' one name. Mars just kind of came joking around because that sounds bigger than life. That was it, simple as that," he explained.

Helen Mirren

Helen Mirren at Cannes Film Festival© Getty
Helen Mirren at Cannes Film Festival

Dame Helen was born Ilynea Lydia Mironoff on 26 July 1945. In 1951 her father – a Russian taxi driver - changed the family name to the more Anglicised Mirren. Despite her Russian birth name and ancestry, she does not speak Russian, but is fluent in French.

Lana Del Rey

Lana Del Rey posing for the camera© Getty
Lana is an American singer-songwriter

Songstress Lana Del Rey's full name is Elizabeth Woolridge Grant. She experimented with the stage name Lizzy Grant before settling on the incredibly unique moniker of Lana Del Rey. Her source of inspiration? A Miami road trip with her sister, where she realised she "wanted a name that sounded sort of exotic and reminded me of like the seaside on the Floridian coast."

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