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    We can't believe this is Meghan Markle's real name

    Were you surprised to hear Prince Harry being introduced as Henry at the Olympics closing ceremony? Just wait until you read about these other stars who've changed their names...

    By Marie Claire
    Published 12 December 2018 In Features

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    And she's not the only star who has completely changed her name...

    When Queen Elizabeth gave her official consent for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry to get married, we had to take a minute. The official document revealed something that threw us for a loop: namely, that Meghan Markle's name isn't actually Meghan. Her real name is actually Rachel Meghan Markle, which is a pretty wild coincidence given that her Suits character is funnily enough called Rachel.

    And that wasn't the only big revelation however. It turns out that Prince Harry actually officially goes by 'Prince Henry'. It turns out that he's almost always referred to by his nickname Harry and TBH Prince Henry just doesn't have the same ring to it in our opinion.

    They aren't the only celebrities who have chosen to go by a different name however. There's a whole host of reasons why a celebrity may decide to change their name, from preferring their middle name, to wanting a shorter, snappier name - or just because they don't think it's glamorous enough for an A-Lister.

    From Gigi Hadid to Jude Law, Rihanna to Lana del Rey, there's a whole host of A-Listers who have opted for something completely different, be it their childhood nickname or variation of their actual names.

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    And would Reginald Dwight have ever been any where near as successful a singer-songwriter as Elton John? We'll never know, but Elton clearly didn't think so, and so ditched his real name.

    There are probably a lot more celebs in the world who don't use their real name than you first thought, so we've rounded up the most interesting of celebrity name-changers out there...

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    Meghan Markle

    Meghan Markle

    While the world may now know the Duchess of Sussex as Meghan Markle, it turns out that her real name is actually Rachel Meghan Markle.
    (Image credit: Beretta/Sims/REX/Shutterstock)

    While the world may now know the Duchess of Sussex as Meghan Markle, it turns out that her real name is actually Rachel Meghan Markle.

    Cardi B

    Cardi B

    Listen to any Cardi B song and you'll hear the rapper frequently name-dropping herself, however did you know that isn't even her real name? It turns out it's Belcalis Almanzar - doesn't roll off the tongue quite like Cardi B does to be honest. Credit: Andrew H. Walker/REX/Shutterstock
    (Image credit: Andrew H. Walker/REX/Shutterstock)

    Listen to any Cardi B song and you'll hear the rapper frequently name-dropping herself, however did you know that isn't even her real name? It turns out it's Belcalis Almanzar - doesn't roll off the tongue quite like Cardi B does to be honest. Credit: Andrew H. Walker/REX/Shutterstock

    Elle and Dakota Fanning

    Elle and Dakota Fanning

    Elle and Dakota Fanning

    First up it's actresses and sisters, Elle and Dakota Fanning. Did you know that these two both actually go by their middle names?

    Their full names are in fact Mary Elle Fanning and Hannah Dakota Fanning.

    Speaking to Glamour, 18-year-old Elle said: 'I just never went by Mary, like ever. It's possibly a southern thing, I don't know.' So there you have it.

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    Gigi Hadid

    Gigi Hadid

    Hairstyles for thick hair Gigi Hadid.jpg
    (Image credit: Rob Latour/REX/Shutterstock)

    Did you know one of our favourite supermodel's full name is actually Jelena Noura Hadid? Gigi is a nickname that her mum, Yolanda, gave to her when she was little because Jelena was too confusing, and it stuck. It was also Yolanda's nickname when she was little, too. Aww.

    Prince Harry

    Prince Harry

    Prince-Harry-what-you-missed-marie-claire
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    As we scanned Twitter during the Olympics closing ceremony in 2012, one thing seemed to baffle people more than most - that Prince Harry had been introduced to the audience as Henry. The cheeky young royal's full name is Henry Charles Albert David Windsor but he nearly always goes by the nickname Harry. Mystery solved!

    Nicki Minaj

    Nicki Minaj

    Nicki Minaj - The Super Bowl 2012 - The Super Bowl - Super Bowl - Superbowl - Marie Claire - Marie Claire UK
    (Image credit: PA Photos)

    Christened Onika Tanya Maraj but known to most as Nicki Minaj, the rapper has several alter egos including Roman Zolanski, who she claims is her twin brother. She has also been known to refer to herself as Nicki Teresa and Rosa. We can't keep up!

    Jamie Foxx

    Jamie Foxx

    Jamie Foxx - Golden Globes Fast Facts - Golden Globes Trivia - Golden Globes Facts - Golden Globes - Marie Claire - Marie Clarie UK
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    The super-smooth actor and musician is really called Eric Bishop. And just like that, our life-long crush has fizzled and died!

    Cee Lo Green

    Cee Lo Green

    Cee Lo Green - Grammy Nominees 2011 - Grammys 2011 - Grammys - Nominees - Celebrity - Marie Claire - Marie Claire UK
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Cee Lo Green is but a stage name, if you really want his attention, you'll have to yell 'Thomas DeCarlo Callaway.'

    Jude Law

    Jude Law

    Jude Law - London Fashion Week Front Row - Sienna Miller, Matthew Williamson, Twenty8Twelve, see, pics, pictures, star, style, shows, catwalk, Marie Claire
    (Image credit: PA Photos)

    Would David Law have been just as much of a Hollywood heavyweight?

    'And, the Oscar goes to Dave...' Nope, a decision well made, Mr Law.

    Lana Del Rey

    Lana Del Rey

    Lana Del Rey - What the Stars got up to over the weekend - What the Stars got up to - Marie Claire - Marie Claire UK
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Why be called Lizzie Grant when you can reinvent yourself as the exotic sounding Lana Del Rey?

    Ricky Martin

    Ricky Martin

    Ricky Martin, Celebrity babies, Celebrity Pictures, Marie Claire

    It might seem odd that this Latino crooner changed his name from the exotic sounding Enrique Martin Morales to the more ordinary Ricky Martin, but the star made the switch due to a family fued. He was estranged from his father - also called Enrique - and couldn't bear to be known by the same monikor.


    Elton John

    Elton John

    Elton John London Collections, Marie Claire, Marie Claire UK
    (Image credit: Rex)

    It's well known that on the verge of stardom Reginald Dwight decided to change his name to Elton John, but did you also know that he also added in a middle name? Introducing Elton Hercules John.



    Helen Mirren

    Helen Mirren

    Helen Mirren - Russell Brand - Katy Perry - Helen Mirren - Arthur Premiere - Arthur - Marie Claire - Marie Claire UK
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    The quintessentially British actress Helen Mirren was actually born 'Ilynea Lydia Mironoff', but as a Russian living in London during the Cold War, her father decided to change it to avoid getting on the wrong side of the law. Very sensible.

    Carmen Electra

    Carmen Electra

    Carmen Electra - Celebrity Halloween pics - Marie Claire
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    A wise man once told Tara Leigh Patrick to go by Carmen Electra. That wise man was Prince.

    Rihanna

    Rihanna

    Rihanna's hairstyles
    (Image credit: REX)

    Robyn Rihanna Fenty wanted her fans to be able to chant a catchier name so made the move to lose her first and last names, therefore just goes by 'Rihanna'.

    Miley Cyrus

    Miley Cyrus

    The Hunger Games, the hunger games film, the hunger games book, the hunger games film premiere, red carpet pictures, celebrity style, the hunger games movie, Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Kylie Jenner, Kendal Jenner, Kelly Osborne, Miley Cyrus, Odette Annable, Kevin McHale, Elizabeth Banks,
    (Image credit: REX)

    This young talent was given a stage name from day one; christened Destiny Hope Cyrus, this little tot was such a happy baby that she was affectionately known as 'Smiley', which over time was shortened to 'Miley' and stuck as her stage name.

    Reese Witherspoon

    Reese Witherspoon

    Reese Witherspoon - What the stars got up to over the weekend
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Lauran Jean Reese Witherspoon sacked off the her first two monikors and a star was born!

    Bruce Willis

    Bruce Willis

    Marie Claire celebrity photos: Bruce Willis at Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards

    If you ever happened to get your hands on action star Bruce Willis' birth certificate you'd see that his birth name is Walter Willis.

    Natalie Portman

    Natalie Portman

    Natalie Portman - The Oscars 2012 - Oscars 2012 - 2012 Oscars - 2012 Oscars pics - Oscars Dresses - Oscars red carpet - Marie Claire - Marie Claire UK
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Once Natalie hit the big time she decided to ditch her surname 'Hershlag' and use her grandmother's last name 'Portman.' 

    Agyness Deyn

    Agyness Deyn

    Agyness Deyn - Celebrity Photos - 27 May 2010 - Marie Claire

    Born and raised Laura Hollins, the supermodel decided on the new name 'Agyness Deyn' to help further her career after chatting to her mother's friend, a numerology expert, who suggested it was lucky.

    Dita Von Teese

    Dita Von Teese

    Dita Von Teese - Best Dressed celebrities of the week - Celebrity, style, fashion, Marie Claire
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    We all know the curvacious Burlesque star Dita Von Teese by her cheeky stage name, but the star's actual monikor is Heather Renée Sweet. When she embarked on her career she chose to go by the name 'Dita' to pay tribute to actress Dita Parlo while she picked 'Von Treese' was picked at random out of a phonebook but a mistake during her first Playboy shoot meant that she dropped the 'r'.

    David Tennant

    David Tennant

    David Tennant Celebrity Real Names
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Doctor Who star David Tennant was forced to change his name because there was already a Scottish actor working with his actual name - David Macdonald. The star picked 'Tennant' beause he just loved to bop along to the Pet Shop Boys!

    Tiger Woods

    Tiger Woods

    Tiger Woods Celebrity Real Names
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    We quite humoured to find out that the golfer's real name is actually Eldrick. Tiger is just a nickname - given to him by a Vietnamese soldier his father knew - and stuck.

    Ashton Kutcher

    Ashton Kutcher

    Ashton Kutcher Celebrity Real Names
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Actor Ashton Kutcher - originally called Christopher Kutcher - decided to be known as Ashton when he signed to a modelling agency and there was already a 'Christopher' working for them.

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