24 Famous People I Had No Idea Were Going By

I was today years old when I learned Jason Momoa is actually a Joseph.

1. Meghan Markle was born Rachel Meghan Markle.

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2. Mindy Kaling was born Vera Mindy Chokalingam.

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3. Jason Sudeikis was born Daniel Jason Sudeikis.

4. Keke Palmer was born Lauren Keyana Palmer.

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Keke goes by the nickname her family gave her, which is a shortened version of her middle name, Keyana. 

5. Jason Momoa was born Joseph Jason Namakaeha Momoa.

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Jason’s father’s first name is also Joseph. 

6. Ryan Phillippe was born Matthew Ryan Phillippe.

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7. Kevin Jonas was born Paul Kevin Jonas II.

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Kevin’s father’s name is Paul Kevin Jonas Sr.

8. Tina Fey was born Elizabeth Stamatina Fey.

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Tina Fey is known by a shortened version of her middle name. She’s said that only a few people know her first name is Elizabeth and still call her that, including Amy Poehler. 

9. Rihanna was born Robyn Rihanna Fenty.

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10. Ashton Kutcher was born Christopher Ashton Kutcher.

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At the 2017 Teen Choice Awards, Ashton revealed in an acceptance speech that his first name was Chris and that he started going by his middle name when he was 19 and became an actor. 

11. Elle and Dakota Fanning were born Mary Elle Fanning and Hannah Dakota Fanning.

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Elle explained that she’s always gone by her middle name and so had her sister and their mom. She said that, “It’s possibly a Southern thing.”

12. Reese Witherspoon was born Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon.

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She shortened her name to make it sound more “Hollywood.” Reese is her mother’s maiden name. 

13. Tom Hardy was born Edward Thomas Hardy.

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14. Drake was born Aubrey Drake Graham.

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Drake’s father gave him his middle name, and Drake said he’s always embraced it. He said, “Drake is me in my everyday life, Drake is who I am and Aubrey is more of a separate, sort of proper individual.”

15. Brad Pitt was born William Bradley Pitt.

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Brad is named after his father, William Alvin Pitt. 

16. Lucy Hale was born Karen Lucille Hale.

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17. Marie Osmond was born Olive Marie Osmond.

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Marie is named after her mother, Olive May Osmond.

18. Jude Law was born David Jude Heyworth Law.

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19. Bruce Wilis was born Walter Bruce Willis.

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20. Will Ferrell was born John William Ferrell.

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21. Lance Bass was born James Lance Bass.

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Lance Bass is named after his father, James Irvin Bass Jr.

22. Norah Jones was born Geethali Norah Jones Shankar.

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23. Faith Hill was born Audrey Faith Perry.

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24. And Tim McGraw was born Samuel Timothy McGraw.

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What other celebs go by their middle name instead of their first name? Let us know in the comments!

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