These Celebrity Birth Names Will Make You Do A Double Take
These Celebrity Birth Names Will Make You Do A Double Take
Becca MonaghanSat, June 27, 2026 at 8:31 AM UTC
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Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for Bergdorf Goodman
Tom Holland casually calling out “Maree!” on the Spider-Man: Brand New Day press tour recently sent people spiralling for a second – yes, that’s Zendaya’s middle name.
From stage names we’ve known forever to birth names that feel completely unrecognisable, a surprising number of celebs aren’t actually called what we think they’re called. Some use middle names, while others switch things up entirely.
So here’s your reminder that Hollywood is full of name plot twists – and some might even take you by surprise.
Rihanna
Plot twist: Robyn Rihanna Fenty
Keke Palmer
Wait for it… Lauren Keyana Palmer
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Kevin Winter / Getty ImagesMiley Cyrus
Her birth name is actually: Destiny Hope Cyrus (now legally Miley Ray Cyrus)
Emma McIntyre / Getty ImagesMeghan Markle
Real name reveal: Rachel Meghan Markle
Diego Cuevas / Getty Images
Related: "If You Get 20/25 On This Random Trivia Quiz, You're Very Gifted"
Tina Fey
Plot twist: Elizabeth Stamatina Fey
Tommaso Boddi / Getty ImagesJason Sudeikis
His real name is: Daniel Jason Sudeikis
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Gareth Cattermole / Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
Related: "If You Get 45/60 On This Random Knowledge Quiz, You're Wasting Your Potential"
Jack Black
More like: Thomas Jacob Black
Lisa Maree Williams / Getty ImagesMindy Kaling
Her full name is actually: Vera Mindy Chokalingam
Alex Wong / Getty ImagesJude Law
Born as: David Jude Heyworth Law
Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images for Disney
Related: Only People Smarter Than A 9th Grader Can Score 15/20 On This Geography Test
Ashton Kutcher
His birth name is: Christopher Ashton Kutcher
Arturo Holmes / Getty ImagesReese Witherspoon
Plot twist: Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon
Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images
Your daily brain workout: Only The Coolest And Smartest People Can Actually Finish These Word Chains
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Source: “AOL Entertainment”
