Black Actresses You Didn’t Know Are Not Using Their Real Names

Many talented performers in Hollywood adopt stage names to enhance their brand or simplify their public identity. This common practice often hides the regular birth names of some of the most famous women in the entertainment industry. Fans might be surprised to learn that the monikers they scream at concerts or see on movie posters are actually carefully chosen aliases. The following list highlights accomplished Black actresses who decided to leave their government names off the marquee.

Whoopi Goldberg

The legendary star of ‘The Color Purple’ (1985) was actually born with the name Caryn Elaine Johnson. She developed her unique stage name during her early days in stand-up comedy when friends noticed her flatulence and compared her to a whoopee cushion. She felt her original surname was not Jewish enough to make her a star in Hollywood and chose Goldberg to sound more established. This bold choice paid off as she became one of the few entertainers to achieve EGOT status.

Queen Latifah

Dana Elaine Owens adopted her regal moniker long before she starred in ‘Set It Off’ (1996) or ‘Chicago’ (2002). She found the name Latifah in a book of Arabic names when she was just eight years old. The name means delicate and kind which she felt suited her personality better than her birth name. She added the title Queen later to demand respect in the male-dominated hip-hop industry before transitioning into a successful acting career.

Issa Rae

This creative force behind ‘Insecure’ (2016–2021) was born Jo-Issa Rae Diop. She decided to drop her first name and her last name to create a catchy stage identity that pays homage to her middle name. Her father is from Senegal and gave her a name that combines the names of her grandmothers. She uses her shortened professional name for all her writing and acting credits in Hollywood.

Rihanna

The global superstar and actress who appeared in ‘Ocean’s 8’ (2018) is known to her friends and family as Robyn. Her full birth name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty but she chose to use her middle name for her career. She has stated in interviews that she gets numb when she hears the name Rihanna because it feels like a work persona. Her beauty brand and fashion lines often utilize her surname Fenty to distinguish them from her music and acting persona.

Nicki Minaj

Onika Tanya Maraj is the birth name of the rapper and actress who starred in ‘The Other Woman’ (2014). She did not actually choose her famous last name herself. A production deal early in her career resulted in a manager changing her surname to Minaj against her initial wishes. She has managed to build an empire around the name despite her early reluctance to accept it.

Cardi B

Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar is the real name of the ‘Hustlers’ (2019) actress and chart-topping rapper. Her stage name originated from the rum brand Bacardi because her sister is named Hennessy. Friends and family called her Bacardi for years until she shortened and rearranged it into the moniker the world knows today. She keeps her personal life somewhat separate by maintaining her birth name in legal matters.

Lizzo

Melissa Viviane Jefferson shines in projects like ‘Watch Out for the Big Grrrls’ (2022) but performs under a nickname she acquired as a teen. She combined her real name Melissa with the Jay-Z song Izzo to create her unique handle. This name stuck with her through her early years as a flutist and aspiring singer in Houston. She has since made the name synonymous with body positivity and infectious pop anthems.

Erykah Badu

The singer and actress from ‘The Cider House Rules’ (1999) was born Erica Abi Wright. She changed the spelling of her first name to include a k because she believed the letter represented a slave name otherwise. She adopted the surname Badu because it represents her favorite jazz scat sound. This spiritual renaming reflected her journey into Afrocentricity and neo-soul music.

Doja Cat

Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini is the birth name of the performer who appeared in ‘Dave’ (2020). She created her stage name due to her love for cats and a specific strain of marijuana. The eccentric name perfectly matches her internet-savvy persona and viral marketing tactics. She has successfully transitioned from an online personality to a mainstream celebrity with this alias.

H.E.R.

Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson wowed audiences in ‘The Color Purple’ (2023) but records music under an acronym. The letters stand for Having Everything Revealed which represents her desire to be honest in her art. She initially hid her identity completely to let the music speak for itself without bias. Now she acts and performs with her face visible while keeping the mysterious moniker.

Janelle Monáe

This dynamic star of ‘Hidden Figures’ (2016) was born Janelle Monáe Robinson. She simply dropped her surname to create a more streamlined professional identity. Her artistic persona often involves high-concept science fiction elements that suit a unique name. She has become a fashion icon and acting powerhouse without using her family name.

Keke Palmer

Lauren Keyana Palmer has been a screen staple since childhood but most fans know her by her nickname. Keke is a family nickname that she was given as a baby and it stuck throughout her career. The star of ‘Nope’ (2022) uses this name for all her professional credits including hosting and music. She has effectively turned a childhood endearment into a powerful brand.

Mo’Nique

The Oscar-winning actress from ‘Precious’ (2009) was born Monique Angela Imes. She altered the spelling of her first name and dropped her surname to stand out in the comedy world. The apostrophe in her name was a deliberate stylistic choice to make her moniker memorable. She has maintained this single-name status throughout her dramatic and comedic career.

Marsai Martin

Caila Marsai Martin is the young mogul behind ‘Little’ (2019). She uses her middle name professionally rather than her first name Caila. She started her career very young on the hit show ‘Black-ish’ (2014–2022) using this specific combination. Her professional name has already become associated with record-breaking production credits.

Retta

Marietta Sangai Sirleaf is the birth name of the hilarious actress from ‘Parks and Recreation’ (2009–2015). She shortened her first name to Retta during her college years to make it easier for people to pronounce. She comes from a prominent Liberian family and is the niece of a former president. The single name allows her to separate her comedy career from her political family ties.

Jackée Harry

Jacqueline Yvonne Harry made history on ‘227’ (1985–1990) as the first African American to win an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. She shortened Jacqueline to the punchier Jackée to suit her energetic comedic style. The unique spelling and pronunciation helped her stand out in the competitive 1980s television landscape. She has remained a beloved figure in sitcom history under this name.

Macy Gray

The singer and actress who appeared in ‘Training Day’ (2001) was born Natalie Renée McIntyre. She adopted the name Macy Gray from an elderly neighbor in her hometown of Canton. She liked the gender-neutral sound of the name and used it to launch her music career. Her distinct rasp and style made the borrowed name famous worldwide.

Iman

Zara Mohamed Abdulmajid is the birth name of the supermodel and actress who appeared in ‘Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country’ (1991). Her grandfather renamed her Iman at a young age to bring her better luck. The name means faith in Arabic and served her well as she conquered the fashion world. She is one of the most recognizable mononymous stars in history.

Eartha Kitt

The iconic performer known for ‘The Emperor’s New Groove’ (2000) was born Eartha Mae Keith. She suffered a difficult childhood and eventually altered her surname from Keith to Kitt for her career. Her unique voice and feline movements defined her stage persona for decades. She became an international star who refused to be defined by her tragic beginnings.

Ruby Dee

Ruby Ann Wallace was the birth name of the legendary actress from ‘American Gangster’ (2007). She began her career using her maiden name but adopted the surname Dee after marrying blues singer Frankie Dee. Although that marriage was short the name stuck with her for the rest of her life. She became a civil rights activist and screen legend under this adopted surname.

Diahann Carroll

Carol Diahann Johnson was the trailblazing star of ‘Julia’ (1968–1971). She Anglicized her middle name to Diahann and used it as her first name for the stage. A talent scout suggested she change her name to sound more exotic and sophisticated. This change helped her break barriers as one of the first Black women to star in a non-stereotypical television role.

Butterfly McQueen

Thelma McQueen is best known for her role in ‘Gone with the Wind’ (1939). She acquired the nickname Butterfly after performing the Butterfly Dance in a production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. She legally adopted the name later in life because it represented her free spirit. She struggled against Hollywood stereotypes but remained a distinct presence in cinema history.

Josephine Baker

Freda Josephine McDonald became the toast of Paris and starred in ‘Zouzou’ (1934). She took the last name Baker from her second husband early in her career. She kept the name even after the marriage ended and she moved to France to find fame. She is celebrated today as a war hero and an entertainment icon.

Billie Holiday

Eleanora Fagan is the birth name of the jazz legend who appeared in the film ‘New Orleans’ (1947). She admired the actress Billie Dove and decided to take her first name. She combined this with a variation of her musician father’s surname Halliday. This new identity helped her navigate the brutal realities of the music industry in the 1930s.

Tina Turner

Anna Mae Bullock is the birth name of the powerhouse behind ‘Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome’ (1985). Her abusive ex-husband Ike Turner renamed her Tina without her permission to mimic a television character. She fought hard to keep the stage name during their divorce proceedings because she had built her fame on it. She eventually redefined the name as a symbol of resilience and solo success.

Chaka Khan

Yvette Marie Stevens is the real name of the singer and actress who had a cameo in ‘The Blues Brothers’ (1980). She was given the African name Chaka by a Yoruba priest when she was a young woman. She adopted the surname Khan during a marriage to her first husband. The name Chaka Khan became synonymous with funk and soul royalty.

Patti LaBelle

Patricia Louise Holte is the birth name of the powerhouse vocalist who acted in ‘A Soldier’s Story’ (1984). She originally performed with a group called The Bluebelles which influenced her name change. A manager suggested the surname LaBelle which means the beautiful one in French. She has used this elegant stage name for over fifty years of stardom.

Donna Summer

LaDonna Adrian Gaines ruled the disco era and acted in ‘Thank God It’s Friday’ (1978). She married an Austrian actor named Helmuth Sommer and Anglicized his last name to Summer. This slight adjustment created the perfect sunny name for the Queen of Disco. She kept the name professionally for the rest of her legendary career.

Gloria Gaynor

The disco legend who appeared in ‘Ally McBeal’ (1997) was born Gloria Fowles. She signed with a record label that suggested she change her last name to something easier to remember. She chose Gaynor and rode the wave of disco fame with her hit anthem of survival. The name is now forever linked to resilience and empowerment.

Etta James

Jamesetta Hawkins was the birth name of the blues legend who appeared in ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ (1978). She created her stage name by simply inverting her own first name Jamesetta into Etta James. This clever switch allowed her to maintain a connection to her birth name while sounding more professional. She lived a turbulent life but her voice remains unmatched in music history.

MC Lyte

Lana Michelle Moorer is a hip-hop pioneer who has acted in ‘Girls Trip’ (2017). She chose the stage name Lyte to represent a spark of energy and creativity. She was the first solo female rapper to release a full album with a major label. Her acting career has been just as steady as her musical contributions.

Foxy Brown

Inga DeCarlo Fung Marchand is the birth name of the rapper and actress who appeared in ‘Woo’ (1998). She took her stage name from the title character of the famous blaxploitation film ‘Foxy Brown’ (1974). She wanted a name that conveyed strength and sex appeal in the male-dominated rap game. Her career in the late 90s helped define the era of female hip-hop.

Lil’ Kim

Kimberly Denise Jones acted in ‘She’s All That’ (1999) but is known as the Queen Bee of rap. She adopted the moniker Lil’ Kim due to her petite stature of only four feet and eleven inches. Her influence on fashion and music far exceeded her small physical size. She remains a cultural icon for her bold style and lyrical prowess.

Eve

Eve Jihan Jeffers used her first name as a mononym when she starred in ‘Barbershop’ (2002). She dropped her middle and last names to create a simple and powerful brand. The paw print tattoos on her chest became as recognizable as her short name. She successfully transitioned from a rough rider rapper to a daytime talk show host.

Trina

Katrina Laverne Taylor is the birth name of the rapper and actress from ‘The Cookout 2’ (2011). She shortened her first name Katrina to Trina for a punchier sound. She hails from Miami and is often referred to as the Diamond Princess. Her consistency in the music industry has earned her legendary status in the South.

Remy Ma

Reminisce Smith is the real name of the rapper who acted in ‘Queen of the South’ (2018). She shortened her unique first name Reminisce to Remy and added Ma as a term of respect. She is known for her battle rap skills and lyrical dexterity. Her name reflects her hard-earned status in the Bronx hip-hop scene.

Yaya DaCosta

Camara DaCosta Johnson is the birth name of the star of ‘Chicago Med’ (2015–2022). Yaya is a childhood nickname that she decided to use professionally instead of Camara. She gained initial fame on a reality modeling competition before becoming a serious dramatic actress. She kept her mother’s surname DaCosta to honor her Brazilian and African heritage.

Eva Marcille

Eva Marcille Pigford is the winner of a top modeling show and an actress on ‘The Young and the Restless’ (2008). She dropped her last name Pigford to avoid typecasting and easy jokes. She now uses her middle name Marcille as her professional surname. This change marked her transition from a reality TV contestant to a working Hollywood actress.

Nene Leakes

Linnethia Monique Johnson became a household name on ‘Glee’ (2012–2015). She goes by Nene which is a nickname she has had since she was a small child. She adopted the surname Leakes after marrying her husband Gregg. Her larger-than-life personality made the name Nene famous worldwide.

Big Freedia

Freddie Ross Jr. is the birth name of the bounce music legend who appeared on ‘P-Valley’ (2022). She adopted the stage name Big Freedia to assert her dominance in the New Orleans bounce scene. She is often credited with bringing the genre to a mainstream audience. Her name commands attention just like her energetic performances.

Michelle Williams

Tenitra Michelle Williams is the birth name of the singer and actress from ‘Dreamgirls’ (2006). She chose to use her middle name Michelle because Tenitra was often mispronounced. She found massive success as one-third of one of the biggest girl groups in history. Her gospel career and acting roles have all been credited under this simplified name.

Kelly Rowland

Kelendria Trene Rowland is the real name of the star of ‘Freddy vs. Jason’ (2003). She shortened her first name to Kelly to make it more accessible for a pop audience. She grew up in the spotlight and the shorter name helped her build a friendly public image. She has maintained a successful solo career in music and film using this name.

Saweetie

Diamonté Quiava Valentin Harper acted in ‘Grown-ish’ (2021) but performs under a sweet alias. Her grandmother gave her the nickname Saweetie when she was a child. She adopted it as her rap moniker because it felt authentic to her upbringing. The name contrasts with her icy fashion aesthetic and assertive lyrics.

La La Anthony

Alani Nicole Vázquez is the birth name of the actress who starred in ‘Power’ (2014–2020). Her nickname La La comes from the repetition of the sound in her first name Alani. She started as a radio host and VJ before moving into acting. She kept the fun nickname as she transitioned into more serious dramatic roles.

Tell us in the comments which of these real names surprised you the most.