Stranger Things badass Millie Bobby Brown recently let slip that her famous handle’s got a fake chunk in it. Turns out, “Bobby” ain’t on her birth certificate—it’s some made-up shit she slapped on for kicks.
“I’m actually Millie Bonnie Brown,” the 21-year-old told Chris Pratt, her Electric State co-star, in a March 6 Buzzfeed chat. “No ‘Bobby’—just Bonnie as my middle name. Never told a soul ‘til now.”
Chris looked like he’d been hit with a Demogorgon, asking why the hell she picked “Bobby” for her stage vibe. Millie’s answer? “Just for shits and giggles, man.” Straight-up chaos energy.
This name drop comes hot on the heels of her snagging a new tag—Bongiovi. She locked it down with Jake Bongiovi, 22, in a hush-hush wedding last May, after two years of flaunting their thing. She’s been dishing on married life lately, saying love’s got layers. “Loving someone’s one thing, being in love’s another,” she told Vanity Fair last February. “I’ve loved plenty—friends, exes—but Jake’s the first dude I’ve been head-over-heels for.”
They might look like kids tying the knot, but Millie swears they didn’t rush it. “We hashed out the big stuff—politics, family plans, dream house, relationship goals, career shit,” she said. “It’s a huge fucking call, and we made damn sure it fit. Always felt right with him.”
While Millie’s vibing with her new wifey name, she’s not the only one in Tinseltown playing name games. Let’s tear into some other stars who’ve ditched their birth tags for something flashier.
Cher—One Name, Two Surprises
Cher thought she was Cherilyn for decades—until the late ‘70s, when she grabbed her birth certificate to legally ditch the extras and go solo as Cher. Surprise, bitch—it was just “Cheryl” all along. Her mom, Georgia Holt, shrugged it off: “I was 19, in pain, postpartum—cut me some slack!” Cher rolled with it and became the one-name legend we stan.
Shaboozey—From Collins to Country Chaos
Outlaw country dude Shaboozey was born Collins Obinna Chibueze. His Virginia high school fucked up his last name as “Shaboozey,” and he said, “Fuck it, that’s my alias now.” Smart move—rolls off the tongue better while he’s spitting bars.
Post Malone—Austin’s Rap Glow-Up
Post Malone’s real deal is Austin Richard Post. He mashed “Post” into his stage name, but keeps it real with buds who call him Austin. Taylor Swift gave him a shout as “Austin” at the 2024 MTV VMAs for their “Fortnight” collab win. Wholesome shit.
Katy Perry—Pop Swap From Katheryn
Katy Perry started as Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, dropping a Christian album under her real name in 2001. She flipped to “Katy Perry”—her mom’s maiden name—for the pop takeover. Smart call—sounds catchier when you’re belting “Firework.”
Cardi B—Booze to Bars
Cardi B was born Belcalis Almanzar. Her fam nicknamed her “Bacardi” after her sister got dubbed “Hennessy.” She trimmed it to “Cardi B” and ran with it—fits her spitfire vibe like a glove.
Meghan Markle—Rachel to Royalty
Before she was Duchess Meghan, she was Rachel Meghan Markle. Dropped the “Rachel” quick when Hollywood (and Prince Harry) came knocking. Clean slate, royal game.
Shania Twain—Eilleen’s Country Rebirth
Shania Twain started as Eilleen Regina Edwards, then got adopted into Twain. She ditched “Eilleen Regina” for “Shania” after meeting some chick with the name. “Didn’t want my grandma’s stage vibe,” she told Apple Music. Boom—country queen born.
Chappell Roan—Kayleigh’s Drag Dream
“Good Luck, Babe!” singer Chappell Roan was Kayleigh Rose Amstutz. She cooked up “Chappell Roan” as a drag persona to keep her real life walled off from the spotlight. Fucking genius.
Gigi Hadid—Jelena’s Classroom Nick
Gigi Hadid’s real tag is Jelena Noura Hadid. A teacher kept mixing her up with a “Helena,” so she leaned into her mom’s pet name, “Gigi.” Stuck like glue—now she’s a runway icon.
Vin Diesel—Mark’s Action Overhaul
Vin Diesel was Mark Vincent. Swapped it for a name that screams “blow shit up.” Nailed it—can’t picture Jason Bourne as “Mark.”
Miley Cyrus—Destiny to Smiley
Miley Cyrus was Destiny Hope Cyrus. Her baby grin earned her “Smiley,” shortened to “Miley.” Fits the twerking pop rebel better than “Destiny,” right?
Bruno Mars—Peter’s Bruno Glow
Bruno Mars, aka Peter Gene Hernandez, got “Bruno” from his dad ‘cause he didn’t look like a “Peter.” Added “Mars” and soared—smooth as fuck.
Lady Gaga—Stefani’s Meat-Dress Rise
Lady Gaga was Stefani Germanotta, a regular New Yorker ‘til she went full Gaga. Stage name’s a vibe—matches the wild shit she pulls.
Jason Sudeikis—Daniel’s Mom Fix
Jason Sudeikis was Daniel Sudeikis, named after his dad. Mom started calling him “Jason” (his middle name) to dodge mix-ups. Stuck for the Ted Lasso win.
Emma Stone—Emily’s Guild Dodge
Emma Stone’s birth name is Emily Stone, but SAG already had one. She flipped to “Emma” and owned it—Oscar gold followed.
Reese Witherspoon—Laura’s Mom Nod
Reese Witherspoon’s real deal is Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon. Picked “Reese” to honor her mom’s maiden name. Sweet and Southern as hell.
Lana Del Rey—Elizabeth’s Alter Ego
Lana Del Rey was Elizabeth Woolridge Grant. “Lana” became her dreamy, sultry mask—perfect for the sad-girl bops.
Frank Ocean—Chris Goes Free
Frank Ocean, born Christopher Edwin Breaux, legally switched to “Frank Ocean” in 2014. Why? ‘Cause he fucking felt like it. Respect.
Tina Fey—Elizabeth’s Liz Play
Tina Fey’s real name is Elizabeth Stamatina Fey. She nods to it with 30 Rock’s Liz Lemon—sly as fuck.
Snoop Dogg—Calvin’s West Coast Crown
Snoop Dogg started as Calvin Broadus. West Coast rap king needed a cooler tag—Snoop delivered.
Lorde—Ella’s Royal Twist
Lorde was Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O’Connor. Obsessed with aristocracy, she tweaked “Lord” to “Lorde” with a girly “e.” Royals vibes, nailed.
Ricky Martin—Enrique’s Bonbon Shake
Ricky Martin was Enrique Morales. “Ricky” hit the stage and shook the world—Latin pop gold.
Iggy Azalea—Amethyst’s Rap Flip
Iggy Azalea’s birth name is Amethyst Kelly. “Iggy” sounds way doper spitting bars—can’t argue that.
Calvin Harris—Adam’s Soul Shift
Calvin Harris, real name Adam Richard Wiles, picked “Calvin” for a soulful single. Kept it ‘cause it’s racially vague, he told Shortlist. Slick move.
Jennifer Aniston—Anastassakis to Friends
Jennifer Aniston was Jennifer Anastassakis. Chopped it down for the sitcom glow—worked like a charm.
Alicia Keys—Cook to Keys
Alicia Keys was Alicia Augello Cook. “Keys” sings better—piano queen status locked.
Tom Cruise—Mapother to Maverick
Tom Cruise was Thomas Mapother IV. “Cruise” screams blockbuster—Top Gun proved it.
Natalie Portman—Hershlag’s Star Turn
Natalie Portman was Natalie Hershlag. “Portman” fit the marquee—Oscar bait followed.
Portia de Rossi—Amanda’s Ellen Era
Portia de Rossi was Amanda Lee Rogers. “Portia” hit before Ellen—TV royalty now.
Elton John—Reginald’s Rocket Ride
Elton John was Reginald Dwight. “Elton John” launched him to pop godhood—Reg who?
The Bottom Line
Millie Bobby Brown’s “Bonnie” twist is just the tip of the iceberg. These stars fucked with their names and won big—Hollywood’s a game, and they’re playing it hard. From Cher to Snoop, it’s all about the vibe. Trust me, motherfuckers, names matter.
