Real Names of the Stars

Explanation: Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, born in 1986 in New York, chose the stage name "Lady Gaga" inspired by Queen's song "Radio Ga Ga".

Explanation: Robyn Rihanna Fenty was born in Barbados in 1988. "Rihanna" is actually her middle name, which became her worldwide stage name.

Explanation: Born Reginald Kenneth Dwight in 1947, he legally changed his name to Elton Hercules John in 1972, combining first names of members from his former band.

Explanation: Mark Sinclair Vincent, born in 1967, created his stage name by combining "Vin" (short for Vincent) and "Diesel" (a nickname given by his friends for his energy).

Explanation: Norma Jeane Mortenson (later Baker) was born in 1926. She adopted the name "Marilyn Monroe" in 1946, combining an actress's first name and her mother's maiden name.

Explanation: Marshall Bruce Mathers III was born in 1972. His stage name "Eminem" comes from his initials M&M (Marshall Mathers), pronounced in English.

Explanation: Paul David Hewson, born in 1960 in Dublin, has had the nickname "Bono" since his teenage years, derived from "Bono Vox" (approximate Latin for "good voice").

Explanation: Caryn Elaine Johnson, born in 1955, adopted "Whoopi" (from the whoopee cushion) because she had frequent flatulence, and "Goldberg" to appear more "Jewish" in Hollywood.

Explanation: Jean-Philippe Smet, born in 1943 in Paris, adopted the stage name "Johnny Hallyday" in tribute to his cousin Lee Halliday who raised him.

Explanation: Farrokh Bulsara, born in 1946 in Zanzibar to an Indian Parsi family, changed his name to Freddie Mercury when he formed Queen in 1970.

Explanation: Shawn Corey Carter, born in 1969 in Brooklyn, created "Jay-Z" in reference to the J/Z subway line in New York and his mentor Jaz-O.

Explanation: Neta-Lee Hershlag, born in 1981 in Jerusalem, adopted her grandmother's name "Portman" to protect her privacy when she started acting as a child.

Explanation: Peter Gene Hernandez, born in 1985 in Hawaii, adopted the nickname "Bruno" given by his father and "Mars" for his "out of this world" charisma.

Explanation: Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, born in 1984, chose "Perry" (her mother's maiden name) to avoid confusion with actress Kate Hudson.

Explanation: Maurice Joseph Micklewhite, born in 1933, chose "Michael Caine" after seeing a poster for the film "The Caine Mutiny" in a phone booth.