How to Come Up with the Perfect Stage Name

Co-authored by Greg James Blount

Last Updated: October 7, 2024 References

The perfect stage name should be snappy and memorable. It's got to communicate who you are as a performer, and also encapsulate your identity as an artist. That's no small task, but don't stress yourself out too much. Choosing a stage name is a fun and exciting opportunity to get creative and forge your new persona. We'll help you with some ideas on crafting a stage name from your given name, from how you see yourself as a performer, or entirely from scratch. Get ready to see that name in lights!

Section 1 of 4:

What is a stage name?

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A stage name is a name that represents you as an artist. Also called a "pseudonym" or "nom de plume," it's often different from your legal name. Your stage name is what your audience calls you, as opposed to what your friends or family calls you.^{[1]
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Research source} A good stage name:
- Distinguishes you from people who might share the name you already have.
- Simplifies a long or hard-to-remember name.
- Represents an iconic or immediately recognizable persona.

Section 2 of 4:

Modifying Your Given Name

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1
Simplify your name. In many cases, stage names are just simplified versions of a given name. If your full name is particularly long or hard to pronounce, simplifying it might help you out. Some real life examples of this include:
- Yves Saint Laurent (born Yves Henri Donat Mathieu-Saint-Laurent)^{[2]
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- Rudolph Valentino (born Rodolfo Alfonso Raffaello Pierre Filibert Guglielmi di Valentina D'Antonguolla)^{[3]
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Anglicize your name. While controversial, some may choose to modify their name to cater to a Western audience. Similar to simplifying, this often involves editing an ethnic or difficult to pronounce name into something short and easy to remember. Some examples include:
- Freddie Mercury (born Farrokh Bulsara)^{[4]
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- Kal Penn (born Kalpen Suresh Modi)
3
Use your mother's maiden name. Use your mother's maiden name as your first or last name. This applies when your mother's maiden name is catchier or easier to pronounce or remember than your given surname. As with most of these methods, the best way to test a name's catchiness is to ask people you know what their reaction to it is. Some examples include:
- Katy Perry (born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson)^{[5]
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  Research source} chose to use her mother's maiden name when she switched from gospel to pop music.
- Catherine Deneuve (born Catherine Fabienne Dorléac)^{[6]
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  Research source} chose to use her mother’s maiden name to differentiate herself from her then-more famous sister Françoise.
- Joan Fontaine used her mother's maiden name because her real last name, de Havilland, was being used by her sister, actress Olivia de Havilland.
Take your middle name and make it your first or last name. Times when this might be applicable are when your last name is harder to pronounce, or much to common, like "Smith." One famous example of this is Angelina Jolie (born Angelina Jolie Voight).^{[7]
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Use only a single name. If your first, middle or last name sounds unique you may choose to go by this alone. Choose the name that has the best middle ground between pronounceable, memorable, and catchy. Some examples of this include:
- Beyoncé (born Beyonce Giselle Knowles)^{[8]
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- Madonna (born Madonna Louise Ciccone)^{[9]
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- Rihanna (born Robyn Rihanna Fenty)^{[10]
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- Zendaya (born Zendaya Maree Stormer Coleman)^{[11]
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Section 3 of 4:

Targeting a Certain Image

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1
Choose a provocative word to include in your stage name. Create a name that is related to the genre or culture you wish to be identified with. For certain genres, such as heavy metal or punk rock, you may wish to cultivate an intimidating or wild persona. Adding a word like “Zombie” or “Rotten” to your name may help with this. Some examples include:
- Sid Vicious (born John Simon Ritchie)^{[12]
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- Slash (born Saul Hudson)^{[13]
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Stylize your name with numbers, hyphens, or special characters. A popular tradition within hip-hop, stylizing your name in this fashion can imply an urban, streetwise persona. Participating in this trend can be beneficial if you are working in a genre associated with hip-hop and pop music. Some examples include:
- 2pac (born Tupac Amaru Shakur)^{[14]
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- E-40 (born Earl Stevens)^{[15]
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- Ke$ha (born Kesha Rose Sebert)^{[16]
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Think about who and what your influences are. Many people choose stage names that reference the people and things that have inspired them. What better way to pay homage as well as lay claim to a particular tradition? Some examples include:
- Cassie Ramone of Vivian Girls was inspired to adopt her surname by The Ramones.
- Lady Gaga’s name was inspired by the song “Radio Ga Ga” by Queen.^{[17]
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Section 4 of 4:

Creating a Name from Scratch

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All words have connotations, and you want the ones you use in your stage name to relate to the style, culture, and genre you're trying to fit in. People are more likely to be drawn to a name that relates to the genre they are interested in. Cliche or not, there's a reason so many surf rock bands use the word "beach."
If you want people to be able to find you online, having a stage name like "Pencil" is going to hinder you. Your stage name should be something that can be put into google just as it is, and comes up with your online presence. And if people can't hear what you're saying when you tell them your name, or they can't spell it after hearing it, that's one more roadblock to being remembered.
3
Choose something that you can at least pretend you have a story for. If you've picked a good stage name that's memorable and stands out, people are going to ask you about it. You want to have more to say other than it sounded good. The best way to do this is to think about choosing a stage name that actually means something to you, at least in some small way.^{[18]
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- Bono got his stage name from a childhood nickname, "bono vox," which is Latin for "good voice."^{[19]
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- Slash claims he was called his stage name as a kid because he was always running all around.^{[20]
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Try to get as much feedback as you can from friends and people you know about your new stage name. Maybe your name makes a reference that is too obscure, or it isn't as easy to hear when spoken in a crowded bar as you thought. Getting second and third opinions is essential, because your stage name is all about how you want people to see you.

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How to pick a stage name that stands out?

Greg James Blount
Acting Coach & Director of Talent Development
Greg James Blount is an Acting Coach, Talent Development Director, and co-owner with his wife of the Green Room Acting Studio based in Boca Raton, Florida. Greg has over 30+ years in the talent industry. His online acting studio trains hundreds of students each month and has been responsible for many actors being discovered and gaining representation, including Kira Kosarin (Nickelodeon's The Thundermans), Kayden Muller (Disney’s Villains of Valley View), Colin O’Brien (WONKA, Dear Edward), Cade Sutton (Disney's Kirby Buckets), and Christopher Cassarino (HULU’s Reasonable Doubt, NBC's New Amsterdam). Greg also owns Sound Tree Entertainment and has produced several award-winning films and TV shows. In May 2024, he directed his first feature film, The Tan Man. Greg has a degree in film production and a minor in fashion photography from the University of South Carolina.

Greg James Blount

Acting Coach & Director of Talent Development

Expert Answer

You have to start by thinking about something that’s memorable, easy to pronounce, and represents you well. You could use a middle name, a nickname, or even a variation of your real name. Before deciding, check first if the name is already being used, use sites like IMDb to see if other actors have it, and check domain sites like GoDaddy to see if the website for that name is available. You’ll also want to check social media handles to make sure you can grab those too, because having a consistent online presence is important. If the name you want is taken, consider adding “official” or something similar to distinguish your brand. It’s also worth thinking ahead—if you ever plan to return to using your real name or think a child actor might want to, it’s a good idea to secure that domain now. This way, you’ll have the flexibility to control both your stage and real name in the future.

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How can I make a stage name from my real name?

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Search your name in other languages, or the meaning of your name in other languages.

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Can I use just words instead of my name if my own name is very boring and normal?

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Of course you can, but pick something to which you have roots. For example, if you liked to hide in boxes when you were a kid, then you might start with "box" and "hide," and make something like "Boxhi." Be creative.

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There are rules within actor guilds and associations that restrict the use of a stage name to only one person. If you have chosen a stage name, make sure that it is not already in use.^{[21]
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Research source}Search online databases to check if your stage name is truly one of a kind.

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Be sure that you are comfortable with your stage name. If you are an aspiring entertainer and have begun to grow an audience, changing your stage name may hinder your progress.

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