15 Celebrities Who Don’t Use Their Real Names

Did you know Meghan Markle’s first name is Rachel? Rihanna is Robyn Fenty? Kiara Advani’s real name is Aaliya and Shilpa Shetty was known as Ashwini before she debuted in Bollywood? Read on to find out which other celebrities don’t go by their real names

17 August, 2021
15 Celebrities Who Don’t Use Their Real Names

Did you know Meghan Markle’s first name is Rachel? Rihanna is Robyn Fenty? Kiara Advani’s real name is Aaliya and Shilpa Shetty was known as Ashwini before she debuted in Bollywood? Read on to find out which other celebrities don’t go by their real names

Meghan Markle (Rachel Meghan
Meghan Markle, the Duchess if Sussex has never used her first name Rachel and she hasn’t revealed why. If you remember her character in Suits was named Rachel and now we might just know why.
1Meghan Markle (Rachel MeghanMeghan Markle, the Duchess if Sussex has never used her first name Rachel and she hasn’t revealed why. If you remember her character in Suits was named Rachel and now we might just know why.
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Rihanna (Robyn Rihanna
The newly minted billionaire’s Fenty Beauty has been a runaway success. It’s surprising that the pop star became the second richest female entertainer in the world due to her eponymous company.
2Rihanna (Robyn RihannaThe newly minted billionaire’s Fenty Beauty has been a runaway success. It’s surprising that the pop star became the second richest female entertainer in the world due to her eponymous company.
Kiara Advani (Aaliya
The pretty actress, who is currently basking in the success of Shershah was born as Aaliya. But prior to her Bollywood debut, Salman Khan suggested that she change her name as Alia Bhatt was already a popular actress in the industry.
3Kiara Advani (AaliyaThe pretty actress, who is currently basking in the success of Shershah was born as Aaliya. But prior to her Bollywood debut, Salman Khan suggested that she change her name as Alia Bhatt was already a popular actress in the industry.
Katrina Kaif (Katrina
Katrina used her mother’s surname Turquotte but when she came in to Bollywood she started using her father’s surname Mohammed Kaif, a British businessman of Kashmiri descent.
4Katrina Kaif (KatrinaKatrina used her mother’s surname Turquotte but when she came in to Bollywood she started using her father’s surname Mohammed Kaif, a British businessman of Kashmiri descent.
Lady Gaga (Stefani Joanne Angelina
We can’t imagine Lady Gaga with another name but the singer and actor was born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey she revealed that she chose Lady Gaga “because Gaga is sort of crazy and Lady has such connotations.’”
5Lady Gaga (Stefani Joanne AngelinaWe can’t imagine Lady Gaga with another name but the singer and actor was born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey she revealed that she chose Lady Gaga “because Gaga is sort of crazy and Lady has such connotations.’”
Akshay Kumar (Rajiv Hari Om
The superstar has revealed in his earlier interviews that he chose to call himself Akshay as he was quite impressed by Kumar Gaurav’s character, Akshay, in Mahesh Bhatt’s Aaj.
6Akshay Kumar (Rajiv Hari OmThe superstar has revealed in his earlier interviews that he chose to call himself Akshay as he was quite impressed by Kumar Gaurav’s character, Akshay, in Mahesh Bhatt’s Aaj.
Saif Ali Khan (Sajid Ali
People got to find out the real name of the Nawab of Pataudi when his marriage certificate with Kareena Kapoor was leaked. He was registered as Sajid Ali Khan in the certificate.
7Saif Ali Khan (Sajid AliPeople got to find out the real name of the Nawab of Pataudi when his marriage certificate with Kareena Kapoor was leaked. He was registered as Sajid Ali Khan in the certificate.
Brad Pitt (William Bradley
Brad Pitt decided to shorten his name when he began his career in Hollywood, so instead of using William Bradley Pitt, used Brad Pitt.
8Brad Pitt (William BradleyBrad Pitt decided to shorten his name when he began his career in Hollywood, so instead of using William Bradley Pitt, used Brad Pitt.
Mindy Kaling (Vera Mindy
The reason why Mindy changed her last name was because emcees of comedy shows that she was part of had trouble pronouncing it. She revealed in an interview that her name became the butt of many jokes so she had to shorten it.
9Mindy Kaling (Vera MindyThe reason why Mindy changed her last name was because emcees of comedy shows that she was part of had trouble pronouncing it. She revealed in an interview that her name became the butt of many jokes so she had to shorten it.
Cardi B (Belcalis Marlenis
Rapper Cardi B’s birth name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar. But she tweeted the real story around her stage name in 2016 “Growing up people called me Bacardi cause my sister name is Hennessy...FYI.” 



10Cardi B (Belcalis MarlenisRapper Cardi B’s birth name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar. But she tweeted the real story around her stage name in 2016 “Growing up people called me Bacardi cause my sister name is Hennessy...FYI.” 



Tiger Shroff (Jai Hemant
Well, Tiger Shroff was born as Jai Hemant Shroff. Tiger is a nickname that his dad Jackie Shroff used to endearingly address him as a kid.
11Tiger Shroff (Jai HemantWell, Tiger Shroff was born as Jai Hemant Shroff. Tiger is a nickname that his dad Jackie Shroff used to endearingly address him as a kid.
Shilpa Shetty (Ashwini
Yes, you read it right…Shilpa’s real name was Ashwini. But her mother Sunanda Shetty, who is an astrologer believed changing her daughter’s name would get her fame and success in showbiz.
12Shilpa Shetty (Ashwini Yes, you read it right…Shilpa’s real name was Ashwini. But her mother Sunanda Shetty, who is an astrologer believed changing her daughter’s name would get her fame and success in showbiz.
Drake (Aubrey Drake
Drake’s full name is Aubrey Drake Graham but he chose to use his middle name. In an interview he revealed that he identified more with the name Drake, given by his father.
13Drake (Aubrey DrakeDrake’s full name is Aubrey Drake Graham but he chose to use his middle name. In an interview he revealed that he identified more with the name Drake, given by his father.
Alicia Keys (Alicia Augello
Alicia Keys’s real name is actually Alicia Augello Cooke. As reported in the media, she wanted to use Wild as a last name, but her mom objected. She later chose the name Keys as it made the most sense.
14Alicia Keys (Alicia AugelloAlicia Keys’s real name is actually Alicia Augello Cooke. As reported in the media, she wanted to use Wild as a last name, but her mom objected. She later chose the name Keys as it made the most sense.
Katy Perry (Katheryn Elizabeth
Singer Katy Perry born as Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson didn’t want people to confuse her with the already famous actor Kate Hudson.
15Katy Perry (Katheryn Elizabeth Singer Katy Perry born as Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson didn’t want people to confuse her with the already famous actor Kate Hudson.
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