Name Awards Blog

Can a name change affect the complete image of a person? Here are some famous examples that illustrate the power of a name change.

Hollywood / Celebrity Name		Given Birth Name
John Wayne		Marrion Morrison
Tom Jones		Thomas Jones Woodward
Cary Grant		Archie Leach
Lauren Bacall		Betty Joan Perske
Audrey Hepburn		Edda Van Heemstra Hepburn
Tiger Woods		Elridge Tiger Woods
Fred Astaire		Frederick Austerlitz
Richard Burton		Richard Walter Jenkins Jr.
Marilyn Monroe		Norma Jean
Charles Bronson		Charles Buchinsky
Queen Latifa		Dana Owens
Bob Hope		Leslie Townes Hope
Ringo Starr		Richard Starkey
Rodney Dangerfield		Jack Roy
Kid Rock		Bob Ritchie
Larry King		Lawrence Zeiger
Gretta Garbo		Greta Gustafsson
Madonna		Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone
Samuel Goldwyn		Samuel Goldfish
Lewis Carroll		Rev. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson

And the famous exceptions. The two big stars who refused to change their names: Arnold Schwarznegger and Raquel Welch.

Test your naming knowledge right here - and send us others you may know about.

 

See also Famous Company or Product Name Changes.

How do you role out your new name? The big bang approach or the long drum roll? See Introducing Your New Name article in the Knowledge Base and get your own inside advantage.