Information about Stage Names

A stage name, also called a screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, comedians, musicians, djs, clowns, and professional wrestlers.

Motivation to use a Stage Name

Performers often take a stage name because their real name is considered unattractive, dull, unintentionally amusing or difficult to pronounce or spell, or because it has been used by another notable individual or projects the wrong image. Sometimes a performer adopts a name that is unusual or outlandish to attract attention. Other performers such as pornography performers use a stage name to retain their anonymity. The equivalent concept among writers is called a nom de plume or pen name, while the term ring name is used in wrestling.

Family connection

Some individuals who are related to a celebrity take a different last name so that they are not perceived to have received undue benefit from their family connection. Examples of these include Nicolas Cage (real name Nicholas Coppola, nephew of Francis Ford Coppola) and Mike McGear (brother of Paul McCartney). Conversely, individuals who wish to receive benefit from their family connections may take that loved one's first or last name. For example, Lon Chaney Sr.’s son Creighton spent a number of years appearing in minor roles before renaming himself Lon Chaney Jr.. Emilio Estévez chose not to take his father Martin Sheen’s professional name and uses his birth name.

Guild and association rules

Guilds and associations that represent actors, such as the Screen Actors Guild in the United States and British Actors' Equity Association in the United Kingdom, stipulate that no two members may have identical working names. An actor whose name has already been taken must choose a new name. Notable examples include Nathan Lane, whose birth name, Joseph Lane, was already in use, Stewart Granger, whose birth name was James Stewart, and Michael Keaton, born Michael Douglas.

The latter chose the last name Keaton simply because he was an admirer of actress Diane Keaton, who in turn had changed her name from Diane Hall. An actor may change his name if he shares it with a namesake in another field. Albert Brooks, originally Albert Einstein, changed his name so as not to be confused with the renowned physicist.

Ethnicity

In the past, a stage name was often used when a performer's real name was considered to denote a specific ethnicity that faced potential discrimination. One of the most famous examples of this type of name change involved Freddie Mercury of Queen, who was born Farrokh Bulsara to Parsi parents; his name change was partly intended to conceal his heritage. Historically, Jews in Hollywood were encouraged to anglicize their names to avoid possible discrimination. This still happens to a degree (Jon Stewart, Brad Garrett, and Natalie Portman for instance), but the growing acceptance of ethnic performers in the performing arts has made this occurrence less frequent. Ramon Estévez changed his name to Martin Sheen, because he expected a better reception for an Irish name than a Hispanic name; his sons made divergent choices: Carlos Irwin Estévez is now Charlie Sheen, while Emilio Estévez left his name unchanged.

Ease of use

Another consideration in choosing a stage name is ease of use. The Actors' Equity Association (AEA) advises performers to select a name that is easy for others to pronounce, spell, and remember. Some performers while paying great attention to their skills and abilities give little thought to the difference that a well-thought-out name can make to their career. Often it is only after the realization that a poorly chosen name results in an undesired impression that a person or group decides on a different name.

Actor Michael Caine was born Maurice Micklewhite and chose the name Michael because he preferred the sound of it to the less glamorous-sounding "Maurice". He chose the name Caine reputedly because at the precise instant he needed to decide upon his new stage name, he saw a cinema marquee for the then-current movie The Caine Mutiny and thought that it would make a good last name in conjunction with Michael. ("Had I looked the other direction," he would later quip, "I'd be known as Michael The One Hundred and One Dalmatians.")

Future porn star Nina Hartley once taught English to Japanese students. She found that they had difficulty with Marie but could easily pronounce Nina.

Relevance to Image

Commonly in the music world, and especially those of heavy metal and industrial, musicians will rechristen themselves with names more menacing than their birth names. Examples include Slash, Varg Vikernes, Nivek Ogre, Dimebag Darrell, Trey Azagthoth and Vintersorg. Being that both genres pride themselves on a larger-than-life quality, larger-than-life names are desirable.

Musical use

Some types of music are more associated with stage names than others. For example hip hop musicians almost always use stage names, whereas 'classical' composers and performers virtually never do. Some Algerian raï musicians use Cheb (for men) or Chaba (Chebba) for women. Both Arabic words mean "young" (e.g. as in Cheb Khaled, or "Young Khaled"). Some performers take a series of different stage names. The British pop singer successful in the 1970s as Alvin Stardust previously went by the stage name of Shane Fenton in the 1960s. He had been born Bernard William Jewry. Some performers will use different names in different settings. Charles Thompson, singer/songwriter for the alternative band the Pixies, was known in that band as Black Francis. He was called Frank Black as a solo performer, and Black Francis again in a reunited Pixies.

Many performers refer to their stage name as their "professional name." In some cases performers subsequently adopt their stage name as their legal name. For instance, the former Robert Zimmerman's legal name has been Robert Dylan (Bob Dylan) since he changed it at the Supreme Court building in New York City in August 1962. Elton John was born Reginald Dwight but changed his name by deed poll and subsequently took that name as his real name. When he was knighted, he became Sir Elton John rather than Sir Reginald Dwight. Names so adopted are technically no longer "stage names," though are often perceived as such by the public.

See also

• List of stage names
• Moniker