Reese Witherspoon’s Real Name Revealed: The Surprising Truth Behind the Oscar Winner’s Moniker

Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon, known professionally as Reese Witherspoon, chose to use her middle name as her public identity throughout her career. The Oscar-winning actress adopted Reese in honor of her mother’s maiden name, distinguishing herself in Hollywood with this unique moniker. Despite decades of familiarity, Witherspoon has expressed occasional confusion when others use her birth first name, Laura, highlighting the personal connection and importance she places on her chosen name.

Why Some Stars Choose to Change Their Names

Many entertainers adopt stage names or alter their given names for professional reasons, often to create a distinct brand, simplify complicated names, or maintain privacy. This practice helps separate their public personas from their personal lives or honors family heritage in unique ways. Whether for practical or emotional reasons, these choices play a significant role in how celebrities are recognized and remembered.

Aubrey Anderson-Emmons Transitions to Frances Anderson for Music

After playing Lily Tucker-Pritchett on Modern Family for nearly a decade, Aubrey Anderson-Emmons has opted for a new professional name as she embarks on a music career. Now 18, she performs under the name Frances Anderson, which is her middle name and pays tribute to her mother’s longtime family friend.

“Frances is actually part of my legal name—it’s my middle name, and it’s after my mom’s old family friend,”

Aubrey explained in an interview with E! News.

“I thought, one, it was a bit shorter than Aubrey Anderson-Emmons. I do have a long, hyphenated last name.”

She added that the new name helps her showcase a different side of herself.

“I wanted to switch it up and I wanted people to see a new side of me,”

she said.

“I wanted to create a space, specifically just for music. And I’m so excited for everybody to hear the songs on the EP, and I’m so grateful.”

Sterling K. Brown’s Journey From Middle Name to Front Name

Sterling Kelby Brown used to go by his middle name Kelby during his early years due to family naming traditions. His father is Sterling Brown Jr., and his grandfather Sterling Brown Sr., which led him to seek a distinct identity away from the senior namesakes.

“My dad’s name is Sterling Brown Jr., my grandfather is Sterling Brown Sr.,”

Brown shared on The Kelly Clarkson Show in April 2025.

“I wanted my own name and it felt like Sterling was an old man’s name.”

After his father died from a heart attack when Brown was 10, he later chose to honor him by returning to the name Sterling in his teenage years.

“Because he passed away when I was 10, by the time I turned 16 and I hadn’t heard his name for five, five-and-a-half years,”

Brown reflected.

“I was like, ‘I kinda just want to hear that name again.’ So I asked people to call me Sterling.”

The Mignogna Brothers’ Name Change in the Entertainment Industry

Andrew, Matthew, and Joey Lawrence originally carried the surname Mignogna but adapted new stage last names to advance their careers. Joey, whose middle name Lawrence became his professional surname, was the first family member to make this change after a talent agent questioned the marketability of their original surname.

Kat Dennings and the Origin of Her Stage Name

Katherine Victoria Litwack adopted the stage name Kat Dennings early in her life before her official debut on the 2000 episode of Sex and the City. She decided that her real name did not have the appealing quality she wanted on movie posters.

The actress drew inspiration from two sources: the character Kat from the film Casper, played by Christina Ricci, and the surname Denni, linked to Janine Denni, a French woman who was the wife of author Lloyd Alexander, a personal family friend.

Cher’s Unexpected Legal Name Discovery

For over 30 years, Cher believed her legal first name was Cherilyn. It was only in the late 1970s, when she obtained her birth certificate as part of a formal name change process, that she learned her registered name was actually Cheryl.

In her 2024 memoir, Cher recounted her mother Georgia Holt’s reaction after seeing the official document, quoting,

“I was only a teenager, and I was in a lot of pain. Give me a break.”

Collins Obinna Chibueze’s Unique Nickname Turned Stage Name

The outlaw country artist Collins Obinna Chibueze embraced the nickname Shaboozey, which originated from a misspelling of his surname during high school in Virginia. He officially adopted it as his professional alias, marking his distinct identity as a music artist.

Post Malone’s Real Name and Stage Persona

Austin Richard Post chose to incorporate his actual surname into his stage name, Post Malone. Despite his international fame, he prefers close friends to use his given name. Notably, at the 2024 MTV VMAs, Taylor Swift referred to him as Austin when they received the Best Collaboration award for their duet “Fortnight.”

How Katy Perry Found Her Stage Identity

Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson released music under her birth name early in her career, including a Christian album in 2001. She later embraced the stage name Katy Perry, inspired by her mother’s maiden name, to better connect with the pop music audience.

Cardi B’s Evolution From Family Nickname

Belcalis Almanzar, better known as Cardi B, adopted her stage name after her family and friends started calling her sister “Hennessy.” She adapted this nickname into her professional identity, creating a memorable and unique moniker.

Rachel Meghan Markle’s Brief Use of Rachel

Before rising to prominence as the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle was known by her full birth name Rachel Meghan Markle. The use of her first name, Rachel, was brief before her public image evolved.

Shania Twain’s Thoughtful Name Change

Eilleen Regina Edwards, who was adopted and given the surname Twain, sought a stage name that would separate her from her grandmothers’ namesakes. She explained during an interview with Apple Music’s Home Now Radio:

“In short, I was born, Eilleen Regina Edwards, and then I was adopted and I became Eilleen Regina Twain. Then I became a professional singer and I needed a stage name that sounded a little less like my grandmother’s name, because I’m named after my grandmother, both my grandmothers, Eilleen and Regina. I think, in my mind, I was just not really wanting to be called my grandmother’s name onstage, so I decided to change it to Shania Twain. I met somebody with the name Shania, thought it was beautiful, and Shania Twain was born.”

Chappell Roan and the Use of a Drag Persona

Kayleigh Rose Amstutz performs under the stage name Chappell Roan. This persona originated as a drag project that allowed her to set clear boundaries between her personal life and her music career, providing a unique creative outlet.

How Gigi Hadid’s Nickname Took Hold

Jelena Noura Hadid’s nickname Gigi was established during her school years when a teacher confused her with another student named Helena. Her mother’s affectionate use of “Gigi” led the teacher to adopt the nickname, which has remained to this day.

Vin Diesel’s Explosive Stage Name

Mark Vincent adopted the professional name Vin Diesel, which aligns with the dynamic and action-packed persona he has built as an actor in Hollywood.

The Origin of Miley Cyrus’ Name

Originally named Destiny Hope Cyrus, she earned the nickname “Smiley” for her bright disposition as a child. Over time, this was shortened simply to Miley, the name she has used throughout her career.

Bruno Mars’ Name Transformation

Peter Gene Hernandez became known by the stage name Bruno Mars after his father began calling him Bruno due to a resemblance to the famous wrestler Bruno Sammartino. This nickname stuck and became his professional identity.

Lady Gaga’s Everyday Beginnings

Stefani Germanotta, before her rise to fame with outlandish costumes and chart-topping records, was an ordinary girl from New York City who eventually developed her now-iconic stage name.

Jason Sudeikis’ Name Confusion

Born Daniel Jason Sudeikis, the actor uses his middle name, Jason, professionally. His mother began calling him Jason to avoid confusion with his father, Daniel Sr., as he explained on the Today show.

Emma Stone’s Stage Name Choice

Emily Stone adopted the stage name Emma Stone after discovering the Screen Actors Guild already had a member registered under her birth name. This change allowed her to carve out her own identity as an actress.

Additional Notable Name Changes in Entertainment

Many famous artists, such as Elizabeth Woolridge Grant (Lana Del Rey), Christopher Edwin Breaux (Frank Ocean), Elizabeth Stamatina Fey (Tina Fey), Calvin Broadus (Snoop Dogg), and Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O’Connor (Lorde), have crafted new identities through stage names that better fit their artistic personas.

Other examples include Enrique Morales (Ricky Martin), Amethyst Kelly (Iggy Azalea), Adam Richard Wiles (Calvin Harris), Jennifer Anastassakis (Jennifer Aniston), and Alicia Augello Cook (Alicia Keys), all of whom transformed their birth names into memorable and marketable names for their careers.

The Importance of Choosing a Name in the Spotlight

Name changes in the entertainment world often reflect a desire to establish individuality, respect cultural or familial heritage, or create a memorable brand. For actors and musicians alike, the choice of name can be a turning point in their career trajectory, influencing public perception and personal identity.