In the world of show business, it is not uncommon for artists to choose a different name to stand out from the crowd or to create a certain identity.
These stars often use stage names that don’t necessarily match their birth names. Some of them have achieved worldwide fame and are better known by their stage names than their real names.
An example of this is Madonna. The “Queen of Pop”, whose real name is Madonna Louise Ciccone, has produced numerous hits throughout her career such as “Like A Virgin” and “La Isla Bonita”.
There are also examples in the field of acting. For example Natalie Portman, born Neta-Lee Hershlag. She chose her stage name to protect her privacy and pursue a professional career in Hollywood. Under this name she became one of the most sought-after actresses of her generation.
In the music industry it is the British musician David Bowie. Born David Robert Jones, he chose the name David Bowie as his stage name, creating an artistic identity that stood for innovation, experimentation and creative diversity. Under this name he revolutionized pop music and influenced numerous generations of musicians and music lovers.
These stars are just a few examples of artists who have decided on a stage name.
In our quiz we ask about many other artists. Some stage names sound simple, almost bourgeois, but are they really? Sometimes the birth name is much more unusual. Others simply leave out parts of their name or use it as a basic structure.
How familiar are you with that? Can you distinguish all stage names from the “real” names? Find out in our quiz.
