Stars you never knew had changed their names

IF YOU'VE ever thought that a celebrity was destined for stardom purely because they have a cool name, chances are it's not their real moniker.

Thousands of actors and musicians have adopted stage names for a myriad of reasons.

Some think they'll stand out from the crowd with a catchier name, others just really dislike what their parents called them at birth.

A handful of actors have been forced to change their names because their union in the US only allows one person to be registered under that title, such as a Batman star who had to change his suame to 'Keaton' because there was already someone in the system called Michael Douglas.

Here are just some of the stars that you'll be surprised to know have changed their names:

Charlie Sheen thought he would have a better chance for a successful career if he changed his name to Carlos Estevez

Miley Cyrus at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards. Photo: Splash News

Miley Cyrus: The twerk-tastic singer was actually bo Destiny Hope Cyrus. As a child she was always smiling, so her parents nicknamed her 'smiley,' which later got shortened to Miley.

Katy Perry at the 2013 MTV Europe Music Awards in Amsterdam. Photo: AP

Katy Perry: The I Kissed a Girlsinger was bo Kathryn Hudson. She decided to change her suame to Perry (which is her mother's maiden name) so that people wouldn't confuse her with actor Kate Hudson.

Actor Olivia Wilde in scene from film

Olivia Wilde: Understandably the Tron actor wasn't wild about her real suame ... Cockbu.

Ashton Kutcher speaks at the Human Rights Watch Voices For Justice Dinner. Photo: Getty

Ashton Kutcher: The Two and Half Men star was bo Christopher Ashton Kutcher but decided that Ashton was a much catchier name to use. Agreed.

Elton John is still confused about why his parents named him what they did. Photo: Getty

Elton John: The ageing singer changed his name from Reginald Kenneth Dwight, because when it comes down to it, Reginald isn't exactly the most hip and happening name.

Joaquin Phoenix in a scene from documentary film . Photo: Supplied

Joaquin Phoenix: The oddball actor was originally known as Joaquín Rafael Bottom. He probably changed his name because he was the butt of too many jokes.

Tina Fey arrives on the red carpet for the 65th Emmy Awards. Photo: AFP

Tina Fey: The 30 Rock star was bo Elizabeth Stamatina Fey. We don't care what name she goes by, she's hilarious.

Vin Diesel wouldn’t seem as tough if he went by his real name. Photo: AP

Vin Diesel: The macho man decided not to keep his real name Mark Sinclair Vincent. Good call Vin.

US singer Bruno Mars holds his trophy during the MTV Europe Music Awards. Photo: AFP

Bruno Mars: The singer didn't like his name just the way it was, so he ditched his birth name of Peter Gene Heandez and became Bruno Mars.

Nicki Minaj performs onstage at Power 105.1's Powerhouse 2013. Photo: Getty

Nicki Minaj: The rapper's real name is Onika Tanya Maraj. We're not sure how she came up with Nicki, but it sounds a lot better than Onika (no offence to anyone called Onika).

Portia de Rossi as Veronica in . Photo: Getty

Portia De Rossi: Would Ellen still have fallen in love with her if she still went by her real name, Amanda Lee Rogers? Probably.

Demi Moore arrives at the 82nd Academy Awards. Photo: Supplied

Demi Moore: The actor thought she'd have 'moore' chance of a successful career if she changed her name from Demetria Gene Guynes.

Michael Caine in a scene from the film. Photo: Supplied

Michael Caine: Close your eyes and imagine Caine using his majestic cockney accent to pronounce his real name, Maurice Joseph Micklewhite. It's not right is it?

Ricky Martin on stage at Brisbane Entertainment Centre. Photo: Supplied

Ricky Martin: The Cup of Life singer was bo Enrique Martín Morales.