Leonardo DiCaprio, the acclaimed actor known for his iconic roles, nearly adopted a different identity early in his career. Around the age of 12 or 13, when beginning his journey in Hollywood, he was advised to change his name, a common practice among actors seeking broader appeal. This revelation about Leonardo DiCaprio stage name surfaced during an interview where he shared the surprising suggestion he received.
The Unfolding of a Nearly Changed Identity
Leonardo recounted that upon securing an agent, he was told his birth name was “too ethnic,” which they believed could hinder his chances of being hired. The proposed new name was “Lenny Williams,” inspired by his middle name Wilhelm. He expressed disbelief about the suggestion, saying,
“I finally got an agent. They said, ‘Your name is too ethnic.’ I go, ‘What do you mean? It’s Leonardo DiCaprio.’ They go, ‘No, too ethnic. They’re never gonna hire you. Your new name is Lenny Williams.’”
Leonardo DiCaprio, actor.
However, his father George DiCaprio strongly opposed the idea, demonstrating fierce support for his son’s original name. Leonardo shared,
“My dad saw his photo, ripped it up, and he said, ‘Over my dead body.’”
Leonardo DiCaprio, actor.
Why Leonardo Kept His Name While Many Others Changed Theirs
Although Leonardo DiCaprio retained his birth name, a tradition in Hollywood remains where many performers alter their given names for broader marketability or personal reinvention. It often surprises audiences to learn the real names behind celebrities, as stage identities become well-known brands. For example, Jennifer Aniston admitted surprise upon discovering her co-star Reese Witherspoon’s full name is Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon, leading her to exclaim, Who the hell’s Laura?
Reese explained that her choice of using “Reese” is rooted in family history rather than a deliberate stage name decision. “I didn’t change it,” she clarified.
“My name is just always Reese.”
Reese Witherspoon, actress.
The Challenges of Name Pronunciation and Identity in Hollywood
Names may remain the same, but sometimes their pronunciation sparks confusion. Kirsten Dunst, who has admitted many frequently mispronounce her name, provided clarity and acceptance of this reality.
“I mean, everyone messes up my name, so I give up,”
she said.
“I don’t care. But again, who cares? It’s fine.”
Kirsten Dunst, actress.
This highlights a common issue celebrities face: managing their public identity while maintaining personal authenticity amid industry pressures.
Examples of Celebrities Who Selected or Adopted New Stage Names
Countless stars have altered their names for professional reasons, personal preference, or to craft distinctive personas that resonate with their audiences. Here are some notable examples:
Austin Richard Post – From Legal Name to Stage Fame
Rapper Post Malone integrates his surname into his stage identity but prefers that close acquaintances use his birth name Austin. Taylor Swift notably addressed him by his real name during their 2024 MTV VMAs acceptance speech for Best Collaboration on their duet “Fortnite.”
Aubrey Frances Anderson-Emmons’ Transition to a Musical Identity
Originally performing on Modern Family as Aubrey Anderson-Emmons, the actress embraced her middle name professionally when moving into music. She shared,
“Frances is actually part of my legal name—it’s my middle name, and it’s after my mom’s old family friend. I thought, one, it was a bit shorter than ‘Aubrey Anderson-Emmons.’ I do have a long, hyphenated last name.”
Aubrey Frances Anderson-Emmons, actress and musician.
William Carl Radke’s Surprise Identity Revelation
Known on Summer House as Carl, William Carl Radke disclosed that his legal first name is actually William, with Carl as his middle name. He explained,
“My I.D. and my passport—my first name is William. So, my middle name is Carl, but I’ve always, since day one, been called Carl.”
William Carl Radke, reality star.
Sterling Kelby Brown’s Name Change to Honor Family
Sterling K. Brown used his middle name Kelby through early years to differentiate himself from his father and grandfather, both named Sterling Brown. After his father’s death, Brown chose to embrace his first name as a tribute.
“My dad’s name is Sterling Brown Jr., my grandfather is Sterling Brown Sr. I wanted my own name and it felt like Sterling was an old man’s name,”
he said.
“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, I was like, ‘I kinda just want to hear that name again.’ So I asked people to call me Sterling.”
Sterling Kelby Brown, actor.
Andrew, Matthew, and Joey Mignogna’s Shared Name Adjustment
The brothers Andrew, Matthew, and Joey Lawrence adopted a different last name for their professional careers, with Joey leading the way after receiving critical feedback from a talent agent about their original surname.
Kat Dennings’ Early Name Change Inspired by Fiction and Personal Ties
Kat Dennings transitioned to her stage name at just nine years old. She drew inspiration from Christina Ricci’s character Kat in Casper and the surname Dennings, linked to her mother’s close friend Janine Denni. Dennings explained she did not want her real name Katherine Victoria Litwack
“to be displayed on a poster.”
Kat Dennings, actress.
Cher’s Discovery of Her Actual Birth Name
For decades, Cher thought her legal first name was Cherilyn until the late 1970s when she obtained her birth certificate and learned it was Cheryl. Cher recalled her mother’s reaction:
“I was only a teenager, and I was in a lot of pain. Give me a break.”
Cheryl Sarkisian, pop icon.
Collins Obinna Chibueze’s Unique Path to an Alias
The outlaw country artist took on the nickname Shaboozey, which started after his high school’s misspelling of his surname. He then adopted it fully as his professional name.
Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson’s Transformation into Katy Perry
While she originally released a Christian album under her birth name, she later adopted Katy Perry, inspired by her mother’s maiden name, to better connect with pop audiences.
Belcalis Almanzar’s Evolution to Cardi B
Belcalis Almanzar was nicknamed Bacardi after family called her sister Hennessy. She later shortened her nickname to Cardi B, a name that resonated strongly with her persona.
Rachel Meghan Markle’s Early Name Variance
Before her royal title as Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle was briefly known by the name Rachel.
Shania Twain’s Reinvention from Eilleen Regina Edwards
Shania Twain recounted her decision to adopt a stage name distinct from her grandmothers’ names.
“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.”
Shania Twain, singer.
Kayleigh Rose Amstutz’s Artistic Persona as Chappell Roan
The singer known as Chappell Roan created this stage identity initially as a drag project, establishing boundaries between her personal and professional life.
How Gigi Hadid’s Nickname Grew into Her Public Name
Model Gigi Hadid received her nickname due to confusion with another student named Helena. Since her mother called her “gigi” affectionately, she requested her teacher use that name, and it became permanent.
Vin Diesel’s Impactful Stage Name
Mark Vincent adopted the explosive persona of Vin Diesel, a name that fits perfectly for his action-star image.
Miley Cyrus’ Transformation from Destiny Hope
Miley Cyrus earned her nickname “Smiley” for her bright smile as a child, which eventually shortened to Miley, becoming the name the world knows today.
Peter Gene Hernandez’s Journey to Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars was born Peter Gene Hernandez but received his distinctive stage name when his father began calling him Bruno, spotting a resemblance that stuck.
From Stefani Germanotta to Lady Gaga
Before her flamboyant performances and iconic music, Lady Gaga was simply Stefani Germanotta from New York, crafting her artistic evolution through her stage name.
Daniel Sudeikis’ Shift from Given to Preferred Name
Jason Sudeikis was named Daniel after his father, but to avoid confusion, his mother began using his middle name, which he embraced professionally.
Emma Stone’s Name Change Due to Guild Regulations
Emma Stone adopted her stage name after the Screen Actors Guild denied her birth name since it was already registered by another member.
Reese Witherspoon’s Name Origin
Actress Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon selected the name Reese in honor of her mother’s maiden name, rather than for a stage name purpose.
Lana Del Rey’s Artistic Alias
Elizabeth Woolridge Grant chose Lana Del Rey as her stage persona, an alter ego under which she channels her artistic vision.
Frank Ocean’s Legal Name Change
Christopher Edwin Breaux legally changed his name to Frank Ocean in 2014, embracing a new identity for his career.
Tina Fey’s Tribute to Her Birth Name
Elizabeth Stamatina Fey incorporated her given name subtly into her character Liz Lemon on 30 Rock, paying tribute to her real name.
Snoop Dogg’s Real Name Calvin Broadus
West Coast rap pioneer Calvin Broadus is better known by his iconic stage name, Snoop Dogg, which has become synonymous with his legacy.
Lorde’s Name Inspired by Aristocracy
Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O’Connor chose the stage name Lorde, reflecting her fascination with aristocratic titles and adding an elegant twist with a feminine ‘e.’
Ricky Martin’s Birth Name Enrique Morales
Before achieving global success, music superstar Ricky Martin went by his given name Enrique Morales.
Iggy Azalea’s Birth Identity as Amethyst Kelly
The rapper Iggy Azalea was originally named Amethyst Kelly, with her stage name marking transformation and reinvention.
Calvin Harris’ Career Understood Through Stage Name
Adam Richard Wiles chose Calvin Harris as his professional name to evoke a racially ambiguous and soulful sound, differentiating his brand.
Jennifer Aniston’s Lesser-Known Given Name
Before she became universally recognized as Jennifer Aniston, she answered to Jennifer Anastassakis, her original family surname.
What It Means in Hollywood to Keep or Change a Name
The decision to keep or change a name reflects a complex mix of personal identity, family heritage, and industry demands. Leonardo DiCaprio’s experience underscores the tension between embracing one’s roots and adapting to perceived marketability pressures. His father’s firm opposition and Leonardo’s eventual authenticity preserved his distinctive name, which today is synonymous with film excellence. Many artists navigate this landscape differently, making the story of their names part of a larger conversation about identity and representation in entertainment.
As the entertainment world continues evolving, the choices celebrities make about their names reveal as much about cultural dynamics as about individual journeys. Leonardo DiCaprio stage name nearly changed but remained a steadfast emblem of his legacy, a dynamic mirrored in countless others who balance personal history with public persona.
