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Have you ever wondered why celeb names sound so cool? It's no surprise that some of them are made up, but some of the coolest ones came straight from mom and dad. Check out which stars got creative, and which ones just got lucky. (AP)![Johnny_Depp_REUTERS_djkgsf]()
REAL NAME "The Pirates of the Caribbean" star goes by his given name, John Christopher Depp II. (REUTERS)![Portia_de_Rossi_AP_ksjegft]()
STAGE NAME Amanda Lee Rogers adopted the more exotic name of Portia De Rossi at a young age. "When I was 15, I changed my name legally," she says. "In retrospect, I it was largely due to my struggle about being gay.... I was trying to find things I could identify myself with, and it started with my name. I picked Portia because I was a Shakespeare fan. De Rossi because I was Australian and I thought that an exotic Italian name would somehow suit me more than Amanda Rogers." (AP)![Ashton_Kutcher_sdlfih]()
REAL NAME "The Killers" star goes by his middle name Ashton. His full name is Christopher Ashton Kutcher. (AP)![Miley_Cyrus_slfih]()
STAGE NAME The story goes that the teen star changed her name from Destiny Hope to Miley because of a childhood nickname. (REUTERS)![Pierce_Brosnan_asukfg]()
REAL NAME Although this name sounds too good to be true, it was all his parents' idea. Mr. Bond was indeed named Pierce Brendan Brosnan when he was born on May 16, 1953. (AP)![Tina Turner]()
STAGE NAME The singer was born Anna Mae Bullock, and her stage name was “Little Ann,” until ex Ike Turner changed her name to Tina. (AP)![Taylor_Lautner_skdufjh]()
REAL NAME The 18-year-old, who plays Jacob in the "Twilight" saga, was destined to be a star with a name like Taylor Daniel Lautner. And those abs. (AP)![Winona_Ryder_skgf]()
STAGE NAME Winona Laura Horowitz doesn't have the same ring. (AP)![Kanye_West_sldjkfh]()
REAL NAME Unlike most rappers who change their names, the 33-year-old remained true to his birth name which is Kanye Omari West. (AP)![Katy_Perry_asjlfgdjkf]()
STAGE NAME She started her music career as Katy Hudson, the gospel singer. The singer later changed her surname to Perry, her mother's maiden name, because she thought Katy Hudson sounded too similar to Kate Hudson. She changed her sound to pop rock, too, 'cause that's what sells. (AP)![Bruce_Willis_askdjgf]()
REAL NAME The "Die Hard" star goes by his middle name since it's way cooler than his first. He was born, Walter Bruce Willis. (REUTERS)![Elle_Macpherson_ksddjhhhhgh]()
STAGE NAME The gorgeous model turned actress was Eleanor Nancy Gow before gracing billboards worldwide. (REUTERS)![Jesse_James_sldfhu]()
REAL NAME Although he's now officially known as Sandra Bullock's ex-husband, the West Coast Choppers CEO was always known as Jesse James. (REUTERS)![Tiger_Woods_askgfu]()
STAGE NAME Eldrick Tont Woods goes by his childhood nickname, Tiger. (REUTERS)![Amy_Winehouse_skdjgf]()
REAL NAME It's pretty ironic that the sogstress who sings a song called "Rehab" would have the last name "Winehouse," but it's true. The British singer's given name is Amy Jade Winehouse. (AP)![Chevy_Chase_slaidfhy]()
STAGE NAME The comedian was named Cornelius Crane Chase after his adoptive grandfather. Chevy was a nickname bestowed by his grandmother. (REUTERS)![Halle_Berry_sljhsdjfhasl]()
REAL NAME The Oscar winner ditched her first name Maria and goes by her middle and last name. (AP)![Elton_John_AP_dksjgf]()
STAGE NAME Born Reginald Kenneth Dwight, the singer reportedly chose the name "Elton John" in homage to Bluesology saxophonist Elton Dean and Long John Baldry. (AP)![Megan_Fox_skefjgaq]()
REAL NAME The "Transformers" star's name is so catchy - and aptly descriptive - it's hard to believe it's real, but it is. The newly married star was born, Megan Denise Fox on May 16, 1986. (REUTERS)![Eric_Bana_asldjfh]()
STAGE NAME The Aussie actor was born Eric Banadinović. Close, but no cigar. (AP)Name Game: Given Names vs. Stage Names
Did these stars get creative, or did their parents?
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- Name Game: Given Names vs. Stage Names
