Black Actresses Who Changed Their Name for Hollywood

Many talented performers choose to adopt a stage name to enhance their marketability or separate their public persona from their private life. This practice is common among Black actresses who have navigated the entertainment industry for decades. Some shorten their birth names while others create entirely new identities that become legendary brands. The following list highlights these women and the origins of the names that made them famous.

Whoopi Goldberg

Born Caryn Elaine Johnson, this EGOT winner developed her stage name from a playful nickname she earned while working in theater. She felt her original name was not interesting enough for a Hollywood career and adopted Goldberg to sound more established. She starred in ‘The Color Purple’ and ‘Ghost’ which cemented her status as a film icon. Her name change allowed her to stand out in an industry that often marginalized Black performers.

Queen Latifah

Dana Elaine Owens found her stage name at the age of eight when she found the name Latifah in a book of Arabic names. The moniker means delicate and kind which she felt contrasted with her strong presence. She transitioned from a successful rap career to acting with hits like ‘Set It Off’ and ‘Chicago’. She continues to use this name for all her professional endeavors in music and film.

Tina Turner

Anna Mae Bullock began her career singing with Ike Turner who gave her the stage name Tina Turner. The name was initially a way for Ike to control her brand but she eventually made it her own symbol of resilience. She achieved massive success as a solo artist and actress in films like ‘Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome’. Her story is a powerful testament to reclaiming one’s identity.

Mo’Nique

Monique Angela Imes adopted the stage name Mo’Nique to separate her comedy persona from her private life. She added the unique spelling to make her name stand out on comedy club lineups. Her acting career reached new heights when she won an Academy Award for her role in ‘Precious’. She remains one of the most distinct voices in stand-up and dramatic acting.

Issa Rae

Jo-Issa Rae Diop shortened her name to Issa Rae when she began creating content for the web. She used her middle name to create a catchy and memorable professional handle for her series ‘The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl’. This eventually led to her hit HBO series ‘Insecure’ where she served as creator and star. Her name is now synonymous with the new wave of Black creative ownership in Hollywood.

Rihanna

Robyn Rihanna Fenty dropped her first name to go by her middle name when she signed her first record deal. The Barbadian singer and actress wanted a name that sounded more unique for her global pop stardom. She successfully transitioned into acting with roles in ‘Ocean’s 8’ and ‘Battleship’. Her mononym has become a billion-dollar brand encompassing music and fashion.

Zendaya

Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman decided to go by just her first name early in her career. The name means to give thanks in the Shona language of Zimbabwe. She started as a Disney Channel star before moving on to serious roles in ‘Euphoria’ and ‘Dune’. Her decision to use a mononym places her in the company of other legendary one-named icons.

Keke Palmer

Lauren Keyana Palmer adopted the nickname Keke which was given to her by her sister. She began her career as a child actress in ‘Akeelah and the Bee’ using this professional name. It allowed her to maintain a sense of familiarity and warmth with her audience. She has since grown into a mogul with credits in film, television, and music.

Retta

Marietta Sangai Sirleaf chose the stage name Retta to simplify her name for the stand-up comedy circuit. She is the niece of former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Audiences fell in love with her during her time on ‘Parks and Recreation’ and ‘Good Girls’. Her singular name makes her instantly recognizable in credits and promotional materials.

Erykah Badu

Erica Abi Wright changed the spelling of her first name to Erykah because she believed the suffix kah represented an inner self. She adopted the last name Badu which refers to jazz scat sounds. Her acting roles in ‘The Cider House Rules’ and ‘What Men Want’ showcase her eclectic style. She is known as the Queen of Neo Soul.

Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe Robinson dropped her surname to perform under her first and middle names. She wanted to separate her artistic persona from her family lineage while honoring her parents. She delivered breakout acting performances in ‘Hidden Figures’ and ‘Moonlight’. Her name represents a futuristic and fluid approach to art and identity.

Cardi B

Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar derived her stage name from the alcoholic beverage Bacardi. People used to call her Bacardi because her sister was named Hennessy. She shortened it to Cardi B to avoid trademark infringement while building her brand. She appeared in the film ‘Hustlers’ and continues to be a force in pop culture.

Nicki Minaj

Onika Tanya Maraj initially did not like the stage name Nicki Minaj but it was pushed by her early management. She eventually embraced it as she rose to global superstardom in hip-hop. Her acting credits include ‘The Other Woman’ and voice work in animated films. The name now represents one of the most successful female rappers in history.

Lizzo

Melissa Viviane Jefferson combined her nickname Lissa with the song ‘Izzo’ by Jay-Z to create Lizzo. She worked for years in the underground music scene before breaking through to mainstream success. She showcased her acting skills in ‘Hustlers’ alongside other music superstars. Her name is associated with body positivity and self-love.

Andra Day

Cassandra Monique Batie adopted the stage name Andra Day at the suggestion of a friend. She chose Day as a tribute to jazz legend Billie Holiday who was known as Lady Day. She portrayed her idol in the biopic ‘The United States vs. Billie Holiday’. This role earned her a Golden Globe award and an Oscar nomination.

Patti LaBelle

Patricia Louise Holt changed her last name to LaBelle which means the beautiful one in French. This change happened when she fronted the group Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles. She is a music legend who has also acted in ‘A Different World’ and ‘American Horror Story’. Her stage name perfectly encapsulates her glamorous and powerful persona.

Donna Summer

LaDonna Adrian Gaines married Austrian actor Helmuth Sommer and anglicized his last name to Summer. She became the Queen of Disco with hits that defined the 1970s. Her acting career included the film ‘Thank God It’s Friday’ where she performed her signature song. The name Donna Summer evokes an era of glitter and dance music history.

Billie Holiday

Eleanora Fagan chose her stage name by borrowing from actress Billie Dove and her father Clarence Holiday. She began singing in Harlem nightclubs and became one of the most influential jazz vocalists of all time. She also appeared in the film ‘New Orleans’ alongside Louis Armstrong. Her name is synonymous with jazz history and emotional depth.

Nina Simone

Eunice Kathleen Waymon adopted the name Nina Simone to hide her singing in bars from her religious parents. Nina was a nickname from a boyfriend and Simone was a tribute to French actress Simone Signoret. She became a civil rights icon and a legendary musician. Her legacy includes powerful protest songs and a commanding stage presence.

Josephine Baker

Freda Josephine McDonald took the last name Baker from her second husband and kept it throughout her career. She moved to France to escape American segregation and became a global superstar. She starred in films like ‘Siren of the Tropics’ and ‘Zouzou’. She was the first Black woman to star in a major motion picture.

Ruby Dee

Ruby Ann Wallace married blues singer Frankie Dee and adopted his surname professionally. She kept the name even after they divorced and she married actor Ossie Davis. She was a pioneer for Black actresses in films like ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ and ‘American Gangster’. Her career spanned seven decades of excellence in theater and film.

Diahann Carroll

Carol Diahann Johnson reconfigured her first and middle names to create the more sophisticated Diahann Carroll. She was advised to change her name to sound more exotic and memorable. She broke barriers as the first Black woman to star in her own non-stereotypical TV series ‘Julia’. Her elegance and talent paved the way for future generations.

Tika Sumpter

Euphemia L. Sumpter goes by the professional name Tika Sumpter. She adopted Tika as a preferred nickname to navigate the entertainment industry more easily. She has starred in successful projects like ‘Southside with You’ and ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’. Her name change helped her build a modern and accessible brand.

Tracee Ellis Ross

Tracee Joy Silberstein changed her last name to Ross to honor her mother Diana Ross. She added her father’s middle name Ellis to create a unique professional identity. She became a television superstar with roles in ‘Girlfriends’ and ‘Black-ish’. Her name reflects her Hollywood pedigree while establishing her own comedic legacy.

Vanity

Denise Katrina Matthews was given the stage name Vanity by Prince when she became the lead singer of Vanity 6. He reportedly wanted to name her Vagina originally but she refused. She starred in the cult classic film ‘The Last Dragon’. She eventually renounced the name when she became a born-again Christian.

Sade

Helen Folasade Adu shortened her middle name to Sade for her professional career. The Nigerian-British singer and actress is known for her smooth voice and timeless style. She appeared in the film ‘Absolute Beginners’ but is primarily known for her music. Her mononym represents sophistication and quiet mystery.

MC Lyte

Lana Michele Moorer adopted the stage name MC Lyte as a pioneer of female hip-hop. She was the first female solo rapper to release a full album. She transitioned into acting with roles in sitcoms like ‘Half & Half’. Her voice is also widely recognized from voiceover work and award shows.

Lil’ Kim

Kimberly Denise Jones adopted the moniker Lil’ Kim due to her small stature and fiery personality. She became a hip-hop fashion icon and acted in films like ‘She’s All That’ and ‘Juwanna Mann’. Her influence on female rap fashion and attitude is undeniable. She continues to be a reference point for women in hip-hop.

Megan Thee Stallion

Megan Jovon Ruth Pete adopted her stage name because she was referred to as a stallion due to her height. She added the spelling Thee to distinguish herself as a unique entity. She made her acting debut in ‘She-Hulk: Attorney at Law’ and the musical film ‘Dicks: The Musical’. Her brand is built on confidence and empowerment.

CCH Pounder

Carol Christine Hilaria Pounder uses her initials CCH professionally to stand out. She found that casting directors were more intrigued by the initials than her full name. She is a veteran character actress known for ‘The Shield’ and ‘Avatar’. Her distinctive name matches her commanding screen presence.

S. Epatha Merkerson

Sharon Epatha Merkerson shortened her first name to the initial S. for her legal and professional credits. She is best known for her long-running role as Lieutenant Anita Van Buren on ‘Law & Order’. She has won Emmy and Golden Globe awards for her work in ‘Lackawanna Blues’. Her name is a staple in American television drama.

Eartha Kitt

Eartha Mae Keith was born on a cotton plantation and her name origin has been debated. She used Eartha Kitt as her professional name as she rose to fame as a cabaret star and actress. She famously played Catwoman in the 1960s ‘Batman’ series. Her unique voice and name are legendary in entertainment history.

Beah Richards

Beulah Richardson changed her name to Beah Richards to sound more distinguished for her acting career. She was a poet and playwright as well as an Academy Award-nominated actress for ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner’. She brought dignity and depth to every role she inhabited. Her name change reflected her artistic evolution.

Isabel Sanford

Eloise Gwendolyn Sanford adopted the stage name Isabel Sanford early in her career. She became the first Black woman to win an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. She is most famous for playing Louise Jefferson on ‘The Jeffersons’. Her stage name is forever linked to television history.

Butterfly McQueen

Thelma McQueen acquired the nickname Butterfly after performing the Butterfly Dance in a production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. She legally changed her name to Butterfly later in life. She is best known for her role in ‘Gone with the Wind’. Despite the controversial nature of her roles she was a talented performer.

Moms Mabley

Loretta Mary Aiken adopted the name Jackie Mabley from an early boyfriend and later became known as Moms. She was a stand-up comedy pioneer who appeared in films and on television. Her persona as an older woman allowed her to tackle edgy topics. She paved the way for future female comedians.

Yaya DaCosta

Camara DaCosta Johnson uses the name Yaya DaCosta professionally. Yaya is a childhood nickname that she carried into her modeling and acting career. She gained fame on ‘America’s Next Top Model’ before starring in ‘Chicago Med’. Her name reflects her Brazilian and African-American heritage.

Saweetie

Diamonté Quiava Valentin Harper uses the stage name Saweetie which was a nickname from her grandmother. She broke into the industry with music but has since taken acting roles in ‘Grown-ish’. She acts as a brand ambassador and media personality. Her name is associated with the Icy Girl lifestyle.

H.E.R.

Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson performs under the acronym H.E.R. which stands for Having Everything Revealed. She wanted the focus to be on her music rather than her image. She made her acting debut in the musical film ‘The Color Purple’. Her mysterious persona allows her artistry to take center stage.

Eve

Eve Jihan Cooper simply goes by her first name Eve for her professional career. She was the First Lady of the Ruff Ryders before starring in her own sitcom ‘Eve’ and the ‘Barbershop’ films. She successfully transitioned from hardcore rap to mainstream Hollywood success. Her mononym is recognized globally.

Macy Gray

Natalie Renée McIntyre adopted the name of a neighbor named Macy Gray as her stage name. She has a distinctive raspy voice that made her a star in the music world. She has appeared in films like ‘Training Day’ and ‘Spider-Man’. Her stage name is as unique as her vocal style.

Chaka Khan

Yvette Marie Stevens was given the name Chaka by a Yoruba priest and she adopted the surname Khan from an early marriage. She became the lead singer of Rufus before launching a massive solo career. She has acted on stage and screen throughout her decades-long career. She is known worldwide as the Queen of Funk.

Which of these name changes surprised you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments.