Find out your favourite celebrity's real name

Stage names are common practice in the entertainment industry. However, very few people know the real names of some of the world's biggest stars. 

Stars usually change their names to make them easier to pronounce or more marketable. Things have changed over the years, with more celebrities opting to use their real names.

'Never Have I Ever' actress Maitreyi Ramakrishnan revealed in 2020 that she won't change her name for anyone. 

"When you’ve been asked if you plan on shortening your name or asked if you have a nickname to make it easier for THEM, this can get you feeling emotional. I’ve said this before but I’ll say it again, respect people's names! If they choose to have a long name, nickname, or a completely new name: respect it," she wrote on Instagram. 

Christina Aguilera revealed in 2022 that music execs wanted her to change her surname when she started in the music industry. 

She refused to do so as her Latin heritage is important to her.

"Something that I really embody and understand is that, you know, this is a name that has been tried to be taken away from me on numerous occasions coming up in this business... It’s not the easiest name for everyone to pronounce. It’s been butchered a lot," she said during an appearance at the Billboard Latin Music Week.

Despite more stars choosing to stick to their real names, others still prefer stage names. 

Here's a look at the real names of some of the entertainment industry's biggest stars.

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Abel Makkonen Tesfaye (The Weeknd)

Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta (Lady Gaga)

Refiloe Maele Phoolo (Cassper Nyovest)

Elizabeth Woolridge Grant (Lana Del Rey)

David Junior Ngcobo (Nasty C)

Robyn Rihanna Fenty (Rihanna)

Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson (Katy Perry)

Solána Imani Rowe (SZA)

Mark Sinclair (Vin Diesel)

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Main image credit: Instagram/@vindiesel, @ladygaga