Many celebrities go by stage names. Whether it is as obvious as Lady Gaga (Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta) or as unassuming as Katy Perry (Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson), entertainers tend to change their names to better fit their stardom. But for some celebs, their birth names were already star-worthy! It was the role they were born to play.
Some people may feel embarrassed by a long surname or just think their full name sounds weird, but that doesn’t matter. What matters is what you make of a name. You may think your name is not original, but the great things you do and achieve in life will make you stand out more and more. Here are a few people who take pride in their names and have worn them well.
Orlando Bloom
Career: actor (known for The Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Hobbit)
Full Name: Orlando Jonathan Blanchard Bloom
Also Known As: Orli – used by his friends and fans alike
Usher
Believe it or not, Usher is his real name. In fact, it’s been in his family for generations. He’s Usher the Fourth!
Career: singer (My Way, 8701), coach on The Voice , and a mentor to Justin Bieber
Full Name: Usher Terry Raymond IV
Also Known As: Big Ush, Big Tyme, Mr. Entertainment, according to IMDb
Taylor Swift
Career: singer (1989, Red, Speak Now, Fearless, Taylor Swift), and entrepreneur
Full Name: Taylor Alison Swift
Also Known As: T-Swift, T-Swizzle, Tay
Shaquille O’Neal
He’s got that rhyme down, and even his nickname, Shaq, has a sharpness to it.
Basketball Career: Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics
Full Name: Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal
Also Known As: Shaq, The Big Aristotle
North West
Both of her parents, Kanye Omari West (also know as Yeezy, Ye, and Yeezus) and Kimberly Noel Kardashian, have distinctive names, but little North West takes the caKe.
Baby, Reality TV Star: Keeping Up with the Kardashians
Full Name: North West
Also Known As: Nori
Britney Spears
Career: singer (Baby One More Time, Oops! . . . I Did It Again), a judge on The X Factor
Full Name: Britney Jean Spears
Also Known As: Brit, The Princess of Pop
Demi Lovato
Unique, lively, and sassy, much like herself. Even her full name flows with flair!
Career: actress (Camp Rock), singer (Confident, Demi), judge on The X Factor, and entrepreneur
Full Name: Demetria Devonne Lovato
Also Known As: Demi
Leonardo DiCaprio
A classic name that rolls off the tongue with a “Wilhelm” thrown into it.
Career: actor (known for The Wolf of Wall Street, Inception, Titanic)
Full Name: Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio
Also Known As: Leo
Benedict Cumberbatch
Career: actor (known for Sherlock, The Imitation Game, Star Trek: Into Darkness, The Hobbit)
Full Name: Benedict Timothy Carlton Cumberbatch
Also Known As: Ben
Various mispronunciations: http://benedictcumberbatchgenerator.tumblr.com/
Whether unique, elegant, sharp, or all three, some people just have that name that demands to be known. This list of names may be considered “A-listers,” but your name is no different or less special. Be proud of who you are and wear your name well.