The Art of Renaming
From Lady Gaga to The Weeknd, many artists perform under names different from their birth names. This practice has deep roots and multiple motivations.
Famous Stage Names
| Stage Name | Birth Name |
|---|---|
| Elton John | Reginald Dwight |
| Lady Gaga | Stefani Germanotta |
| The Weeknd | Abel Tesfaye |
| Bruno Mars | Peter Hernandez |
| Freddie Mercury | Farrokh Bulsara |
| Lana Del Rey | Elizabeth Grant |
Why Artists Choose Stage Names
1. Marketability
- Easier to pronounce or remember
- More distinctive
- Better suited to genre
2. Privacy
- Separation of personal and public life
- Protection for family
- Ability to "turn off" fame
3. Artistic Identity
- Name reflects musical persona
- Signals genre or style
- Creates mythology
4. Fresh Start
- Escape from previous career
- Avoid association with past work
- Reinvention opportunity
5. Industry Conflicts
- Another artist has same name
- Legal issues with birth name
- Label preferences
Single Names
Many artists use one name for maximum impact:
- Madonna, Prince, Cher, Beyoncé, Drake, Adele
This creates instant recognition and trademark-like identity.
The Persona Effect
Stage names enable:
- Psychological distance from criticism
- Permission to be someone else on stage
- Character development (Ziggy Stardust, Slim Shady)
- Separation of art from artist
Some artists report their stage persona feels like a different person entirely.