List of Full Names of Mononymous People, loosely ranked by fame and popularity. Several celebrities opt to use a stage name rather than their given name in public. This protects at least some of their privacy (and that of their families), and for some, hiding their surnames helps separate professional life from personal life. Some celebrities have chosen names that have additional meanings. Many famous musicians, actors, and comedians use eponymous names. Several famous rappers are known by single names that have dual meanings.
Who is the most famous Eponymous person? Prince tops our list. The “Purple Rain” genius was born Prince Rogers Nelson on June 7, 1958. The word prince also refers to the son of a monarch. During the 90s, Prince changed his name to a symbol in order to protest the negative treatment that he was receiving from his record company. Throughout that time he was known as “the artist formally known as Prince.” Other eponymous people include Pink, Pitbull and Meatloaf.
Many famous rappers are eponymous. Ice-T was born Tracy Marrow on February 16, 1958. Ice tea is also a popular beverage. Ice-T has kept his stage name throughout the various stages of his career. Ice-T has been starring in “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” since 2000. The Pharcyde rapper Fatlip was born Derrick Stewart on March 26, 1969. The word fatlip also refers to a swollen mouth or lip, typically from a blow or punch.
If you were a celebrity would you use a stage name or your given name? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
The Full Names of 50 Mononymous People,
Adele
Adele was born Adele Laurie Blue Adkins on May 5, 1988. She went to high school with fellow pop stars Leona Lewis and Jessie J.
Cher
Cher was born Cherilyn Sarkisian on May 20, 1946. The singer and actress had her name legally changed to just the four-letter version.
Bono
Bono was born Paul David Hewson on May 10, 1960. Bono comes from a nickname Bono Vox, which comes from bonavox - Latin for "good voice."
P!nk
Pink was born Alecia Beth Moore on September 8, 1979. The tough-girl rock star has worn pink hair several times in her career.
Prince
Prince was born Prince Rogers Nelson on June 7, 1958. The word prince also refers to the son of a monarch.
Rihanna
Rihanna was born Robyn Rihanna Fenty on February 20, 1988.
Seal
Seal was born Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel on February 19, 1963. His brother, Jeymes Samuel, is also a singer who performs under the stage name The Bullitts.
Sting
Sting was born Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner on October 2, 1951. The singer's stage name started when he wore a black-and-yellow sweater during a show and friends thought he looked like a bumblebee.
Macklemore
Rapper Macklemore was born Ben Haggerty on June 19, 1983. His stage name followed him from his teenage years, when he dressed in flamboyant plaid clothes and was known as Professor Macklemore.
Lorde - born Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O'Connor
Kiwi singer Lorde was born Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O'Connor on November 7, 1996. She has said she adopted her stage name due to her fascination with "royals and aristocracy," and added an 'e' to Lord to make it more feminine