by | Photos by WENN.com
Axl Rose, P Diddy, Marilyn Manson: Music Stars' Real Names Revealed
In tribute to rapper's new name Swag...
Axl Rose: William Bailey - Born William Bruce Rose Jr, the Guns N' Roses man's mother changed his name to William Bailey when his father left home aged 3. Two decades later he reclaimed his birth surname and added his nickname Axl, presumably to make it sound punkier.
Jon Bon Jovi: John Francis Bongiovi Jnr - Originally his group went under the stage name of the John Bongiovi Band. After catching record label interest, a Mercy Records' executive suggested they should be re-dubbed Bon Jovi (from his surname) to make it sound snappier. Although they weren't particularly fond of the idea they still kept it, with John even removing the 'h' from his name to create his moniker Jon Bon Jovi.
Lovefoxxx: Luisa Hanai Matsushita - Born in Brazil in 1984, as her surname suggests Lovefoxxx is actually of Japanese decent. She has never clearly explained why she called herself Lovefoxxx - or why for that matter she has included three x's - but it kinda works.
Ludacris: Christopher Bridges - The 30-year-old rapper revealed in an interview last year where his moniker comes from. He told espn.com: "I made my name up. My first name is Chris, and Ludacris means beyond crazy, ridiculous -- which describes my personality, where I'm comin' from with my music, everything."
Ol’ Dirty Bastard: Russell Tyrell Jones – The late Wu Tang Clan rapper took his stage name from a 1980 cult kung fu movie called 'Ol' Dirty & The Bastard.' Method Man from the band claims that 'bastard' is particularly apt because his unique rapping style had 'no father' – i.e. it was influenced by no-one.
David Bowie: David Jones – In the early sixties, Bowie went under the stage name of Davy Jones but soon dropped this to avoid confusion with The Monkees star. Instead, he kept his first name and took his surname from nineteenth century Texan soldier and pioneer Jim Bowie and his 'bowie knife.'
Akon: Aliuane Badara Thiam – A number of rumours have circulated on the net claiming that Akon's full name is actually the extremely wordy 'Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam', and the star simply lifted the Akon part for his stage name. The Senegalese-born rapper has never confirmed this.
Busta Rhymes: Trevor Smith - Public Enemy frontman Chuck D was so impressed after watching his performance; he said he should be named after NFL Wide Receiver George “Busta” Rhymes.
Shania Twain: Eilleen Regina Edwards – After a mildly successful stint in music in her teens, Edwards put her career on hold in 1987 aged 22 after her adoptive father died in a car crash. Four years later she returned and changed her name to Shania Twain. The Shania part came from the native American word which means 'On My Way.'
Jack White: John Anthony Gillis - As rumour goes the White Stripes and Raconteurs man unconventionally changed his name to Jack White when he married Meg White in 1996. Despite their divorce four years later, the band survived and Gillis kept his stage name.
Marc Bolan: Mark Feld – It took Mark Feld quite a while to settle into a stage name. Originally he began performing under the moniker Toby Tyler. In 1967, aged 20, he changed his name to Marc Bowland while he was in the band John's Children. By the time he was in Tyrannosaurus Rex, the surname was honed down further.
Babyface: Kenneth Edmonds – A talented musician from an early age, by his teens Edmonds was performing with funk star Bootsy Collins who gave him the moniker 'Babyface.' The name has stuck to this day. Now aged 50 he still very much has a Baby face.
Elton John: Reginald Dwight – In January 1968, Blues pianist Reg Dwight was still performing under his birth name. A few weeks later he shed the name for Elton John and christened it by wearing some now trademark outlandish attire.
Adam Ant: Stuart Leslie Goddard – Just like Jon Bon Jovi, Adam Ant was in a group that bore his own name; Adam & The Ants. A much more snappier moniker than his birth name, he quickly became one of the enduring stars of the early eighties.
Flavor Flav: William Drayton Jr. - Born in Long Island, New York, 49 years ago, the clock-wearing Public Enemy man is known for his eccentric persona, gold teeth and bizarre onstage dancing. His name, which has stuck throughout his career perfectly compliments his animated looks.
Freddie Mercury: Farrokh Bulsara - Born in Zanzibar, the Queen frontman first began to call himself 'Freddie' whilst studying at St Peters boarding school in Bombay. It wasn't until he formed Queen with Brian May that he legally changed his name.
Fatboy Slim: Quentin Cook - Quite possibly the King of pseudonyms, the DJ has so far released music under eighteen different groups and guises, including Freakpower, Norman Cook and his most famous name Fatboy Slim. The latter is derived from a song by a 1940s Louisiana blues singer.
Cat Stevens: Steven Georgiou changed name to Yusef Islam - The beardy folk singer decided if he stood any chance of success he should change his name. He chose Cat Stevens because his girlfriend liked cats, before later in the seventies converting to Islam.
Alice Cooper: Vincent Furnier - Originally adopted by the band to act as a gimmick, Furnier later adopted Alice Cooper for himself and spread the rumour that he was named after a 17th Century witch to enhance his career.
Pink: Alecia Moore - The angst ridden pop rocker, changed her name after failing to launch a music career with R&B trio Choice. The girly colour pink juxtaposes her often raucous attitude.
Bill Wyman: William Perks - The Rolling Stone bass pioneer first changed his name whilst touring with early band The Cliftons. Rumour has it he stole the name from a friend he done his National Service with.
Sting: Gordon Sumner - The Newcastle born artist believes he gained the name whilst touring with an early band called the Phoenix Jazzmen. One night he turned up to a gig wearing a Yellow and Black stripy jumper that made him look like a Bee, and was dubbed Sting.
Slash: Saul Hudson - The G’N’R rock god from Stoke on Trent was moved to L.A when he was eleven. It was in L.A where he was given his nick name by family friend Seymour Sassell, his reason ‘he was always in a hurry, zipping around from one thing to another.'
Nikki Sixx: Franklin Ferrana - The legendary bass player from Motley Crue, paid for his first guitar with money he gained buy selling a guitar he stole from a shop, whilst waiting for a bus. This criminal trend seemed to continue throughout his career where he is known as one of music's biggest hellraiser. He changed his name to Nikki Sixx legally in the Eighties.
Gene Simmons: Chaim Witz - The multitalented Mr Simmons is also now as the ‘The Demon’ for his fire breathing and tongue wagering antics. Born the frankly bizarre Chaim Witz, it's no wonder he decided to change his stage name.
Sir Mix-A-Lot: Anthony Ray – His first ever hit ‘Posse on Broadway’ released in 1988, borrowed a sample from David Bowie’s 1975 hit ‘Fame’. Unsurprisingly his stage name was coined from the amount of mixing and sampling he does.
Tommy Ramone: Tom Erderlyi / Richie Ramone: Richie Reinhart / Marky Ramone: Mark Bell / Johnny Ramone: John Cummings / Joey Ramone: Jeffrey Hyman / Dee Dee Ramone: Douglas Colvin / C.J. Ramone: Chris Ward - Founding member Douglas was the first to change his name to Ramone, the idea coming from Paul McCartney’s use of the pseudonym Paul Ramon.
Iggy Pop: James Osterberg - The punk icon named himself after his high school band the Iguanas. Iggy was the drummer of the band, but after seeing a performance by Jim Morrison decided he wanted to be a frontman.
Marilyn Manson: Brian Warner - Right wing America's most hated man wasn't always the androgynous goth we know and love today. It wasn't until that he graduate from college that he formed Marilyn Manson & the Spooky Kids, which was later shortened to Marilyn Manson. The name is an amalgam of Marilyn Monroe and the serial killer Charles Manson.
Mick Mars: Robert Deal - After years of playing in various unsuccessful rock bands in America, Deal decided he had to try something new. His answer: change your name, dye your hair black and place an ad to form a band, describing yourself as 'loud rude and aggressive'.
Ginger Baker: Peter Edward Baker - Very much self-explanatory, Baker retained his surname and named the Ginger part after his once long, flowing auburn hair.
Dean Martin: Dino Crocetti - The King of the crooners started out his career in Vegas as Dino Martini, named after famous opera tenor, Nino Martini. It was when he teamed up with Sammy Watkins, that he was told by the singer to change his name.
Moby: Richard Melville Hall - It's a well know fact that the producer was given his nickname due to his ancestral relationship to the author of Moby Dick, Herman Melville. What many people don’t know is that he has also released music under the pseudonyms Voodoo Child, Barracuda, Brainstorm, The Brotherhood, DJ Cake, Lopez, Mindstorm, Schaumgummi and Pork Guys.
Joni Mitchell: Roberta Anderson - In 1964 aged 21, Joni discovered she was pregnant by her ex college boyfriend, so she turned to fellow folk singer Chuck Mitchell. They got married and she took his surname. However, everything did not work out the way they planned and the baby was given up for adoption. Her name, however, stuck.
Engelbert Humperdinck: Arnold Dorsey - After several years of trying to make it in the music industry, the crooner was told to change his name; bizarrely he chose a 19th century German composer. It seemed to work and at the height of his career he changed his name legally, however the composer's family objected and decided to sue the singer.
Billy Ocean: Leslie Sebastian Charles - After becoming tired of working as a Saville Road tailor, he released a single under the name Les Charles. Three years later he decided to change his name again, adopting his surname from the Ocean Estate in East London where he lived.
Gram Parsons: Cecil Ingram Connor - The American country rock legend didn't have the best of starts (or end) in life. His father committed suicide two days before Christmas; subsequently his mother remarried with a man called Bob Parsons, hence Gram Parsons.
Ja Rule: Jeffrey Atkins - Believe it or not the honey monster of hip hop was not actually allowed to listen to rap when he was growing up. His parents were strict Jehovah’s Witness’s and not only banned the listening of rap music they banned Christmas and birthdays. His upbringing is reflected in his name.
Lou Reed: Louis Firbank - Legendry lyricist Lou started his career of as a staff song writer at Pick Wick records. The first hit he penned was the ostrich, and whilst recording the song he met John Cale with whom he went on to form the Velvet Underground with.
Ice T: Tracey Marrow - Being born with a girls name is certainly not going to help you gain respect amongst your fellow gangster Rappers. Therefore the ‘Cop Killer’ decided to name himself after legendary pimp Iceberg Slim.
Mos Def: Dante Terrell Smith - Contrary to popular belief Mos Def does not stand for most definitely, it actually refers to his belief that he is the most ‘def’ of all ('def' being the old school Hip Hop term for 'cool').
Huey Lewis: Hugh Craig - Huey decided to change his name whilst touring with the band Clover. He took his surname from his mothers boyfriend beat poet Lewis Welch. He has also used the pseudonyms Robbie Lewis, Lew Welch, Huey Cregg and Kid Lewis.
Tina Turner: Anna Mae Bullock - After a session singer failed to turn up for a recording by future hubby Ike turner, Anna Mae was asked to step in and sing backing vocals on the track 'A Fool In Love.' The recording was so successful Ike persuaded her to change her name to Tina Turner, to rhyme with Sheena: Queen of the Jungle, and form a band together.
Xzibit: Alvin Joiner - The Pimp My Ride presenter, has to be the most versatile rapper out their. He’s released six albums, appeared in several feature films, been characters in seven computer games and has appeared as a contestant on The Weakest Link. Alvin Joiner just doesn't have the same ring does it?!
Geddy Lee: Gary Weinraub - Bass legend Geddy, gained his nickname whilst in high school from his polish mothers heavy pronunciation of his first name. Many of his school friend heard how she said it, and the nick name has stuck with him ever since.
Snoop Dogg: Calvin Broadus - The biggest pimp in the music industry originally adopted the moniker Snoop Doggy Dog when he first began recording. The nickname was given to him by his mother when he was a child, because of the way he dressed and his love of the Cartoon Peanuts.
Timbaland: Timothy Mosely - Whilst working as a DJ under the guise Tiny Tim, he began to produce hip-hop backing tracks on a Casio keyboard. These tracks were heard by Missy Elliot who began to work with him. It was Missys manager who persuaded the producer to name himself (allegedly) after Timberland boots.
Billie Holiday: Eleanora Gough - The late American Jazz singer had a cloudy and dubious upbringing. Not knowing who her father was, the singer chose the most likely candidate Clarence Holiday and adopted his surname for pseudonym. Her first name comes from her admiration of the actress Billie Dove.
Billy Idol: William Broad - Like most punk rockers Idol was told by his school teachers he would amount to nothing in life. When one of them wrote on his report card ‘Billy is Idle’ they sealed his fate, in later years the peroxide blonde remembered the comment and changed his name to Billy Idol.
L.L. Cool J: James Tood Smith - Hip Hop's biggest and longest serving playa's name stands for ‘Ladies Love Cool James’. As well as living up to his name, the serial womaniser has to date released an impressive 24 albums.
MC Hammer: Stanley Burrell - The man who made parachute pants cool, well for a week, is actually nicknamed after legendry Base Ball player Hank Hammerin. The young rapper was bat boy for the Oakland Athletics, when the coach thought the two looked similar.
George Michael: Yorgos Panayiotou - The weed-smoking singer’s first foray into pop, Wham, actually started out as a ska band. Michael met ex-bandmate Andrew Wridgley at school were he and a couple of other friends formed the band, but only Michael and Andrew made it on to Wham. Here he ditched his birth name for something a lot snappier.
Meat Loaf: Marvin Lee Aday – The heavyweight rocker has told the media a string of contradictory, juxtaposing stories as to where he coined his name from. One thing's for sure, he absolutely loves meatloaf.
Dr Dre: Andre Young - The notorious producer and rapper began his career as a DJ, under the name Dr.J. Behind the decks he would wear a purple doctors outfit and surgeon’s mask and play. Years later he dropped the outfit, changec J to Dre and became the most successful producer in hip-hop.
Notorious B.I.G.: Christopher Wallace - The former crack dealer turned rapper released his early material under the moniker Biggy Smalls. He earned the nickname whilst at school due to his massive size. He later changed his stage name to the Notorious B.I.G after discovering an artist was already using the name.
Ice Cube: Oshea Jackson - Originally the rapper was a member of Hip Hop outfit C.I.A., who would play at parties hosted by Dr Dre. Eventually the two teamed up to release an E.P called My Posse, which was shown to Eazy E who agreed to work with them under the name N.W.A and the Easy Posse.
Elvis Costello: Declan MacManus – In the early seventies, while living in Birkenhead, MacManus was recording material for independent label Stiff Records. It was the company's boss who advised him to change his name, which is derived from Elvis Presley and the singer's grandmother's surname.
Macy Gray: Natalie McIntyre – The singer reportedly stole her stage moniker from the name of a store owner who lived nearby in her native Ohio.
Vanilla Ice: Robert Van Winkle - The baggy trouser wearing, Quiff toting rapper was never going to gain credibility with a name like Winkle (not that he ever did). Whilst breakdancing on the mean streets of Dallas the rapper earned the nickname Vanilla Ice, then after a few hits killed his career through lack of talent.
Zakk Wylde: Jeffrey Philip Wieldlandt On the advice of his then girlfriend, 19-year-old gas station worker Wieldlandt applied to be Ozzy Osbourne's lead guitarist and co-guitarist. Amazingly he got the job and his birth name and humdrum life were history.
Tags: P Diddy
You can't underestimate the power of a good name – just ask the likes of Axl Rose, P Diddy and Jon Bon Jovi who all adopted stage names before launching their music careers.
As P Diddy unveils his new name Swag (you must refer to him as that for the next week), Gigwie thought it was about time we revealed the real names belonging to some of the world's biggest music stars.
So if you ever wondered what Timbaland, Tina Turner, Elton John, Dr Dre, Freddie Mercury and Alice Cooper were called my their mothers, then this is your chance.
Check out our Music Stars and Their Real Names photos below.