Elton John performs on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2015 on December 31, 2014 in New York City. Photo / Getty
Elton John performs on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2015 on December 31, 2014 in New York City. Photo / Getty
They've become household names - but turns out a lot of our favourite stars were born with completely different ones.
Here are the real names of some of the world's most famous celebrities.
1. Elton John
English pop singer Elton John in a white jacket and rococco spectacles during a photoshoot at his home for his 1974 Greatest Hits album, 1974. Photo / Getty
Elton John's real name is Reginald Dwight - he changed it when he enteredshow business, and added in the middle name Hercules for good measure.
American actor Vin Diesel as Xander Cage in a scene from the film 'xXx', 2002. Photo / Getty
Vin Diesel came up with his stage name using an anagram of 'I End Lives.' Before that, he was known as Mark Sinclair.
3. Joaquin Phoenix
Actor Joaquin Phoenix arrives at the premiere of Focus Features' Reservation Road at the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences on October 18, 2007. Photo / Getty
It's not hard to figure out why Joaquin Phoenix changed his last name. Before he was Phoenix, he was Joaquin Bottom.
Born Caryn Johnson, Whoopi Goldberg got her name from her lack of shyness about bodily functions. She once explained, "If you get a little gassy, you've got to let it go. So people used to say to me, 'You're like a whoopee cushion'."
Actress Whoopi Goldberg. Photo / Getty
5. Marilyn Manson
Photo of Marilyn Manson. Photo / Getty
Marilyn Manson, born Brian Hugh Warner, got his name by combining the first name of an iconic female sex symbol and the last name of an iconic serial killer. Marilyn Monroe and Charles Manson equals Marilyn Manson.
Actress Olivia Wilde attends the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 10, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo / Getty
Olivia Wilde grew up as Olivia Cockburn, but changed her name in later years after developing a profound respect and admiration for Irish writer Oscar Wilde.
7. Jamie Foxx
Actor Jamie Foxx attends the Los Angeles premiere of New Line Cinema's Horrible Bosses 2 at TCL Chinese Theatre on November 20, 2014 in Hollywood, California. Photo / Getty
It wasn't until Eric Marlon Bishop started doing comedy that he changed his name to Jamie Foxx - and it was because he wanted to be mistaken for a woman. Apparently, female comedians were routinely called to the stage before their male counterparts, and Foxx didn't want to wait.
8. Iggy Azalea
Iggy Azalea poses during Bonds 100th birthday celebration event at Cafe Sydney on August 19, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. Photo / Getty
It's no big surprise that Iggy Azalea isn't the Aussie rapper's real name. She was actually born Amethyst Amelia Kelly, but decided to go with a stage moniker comprising of her pet dog's name (Iggy) and the street her family live on (Azalea).
