Stage Names

[~FloweryFriend~]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 2:53am

So I've noticed that CATSNYrevival has picked up a stage name.

I have a relative who travelled with a circus a while ago, and she was told to go by Cindy Ann instead of Cynth because it made her seem 'more approachable'.

How does one know if one should take a stage name?
How does one choose a stage name?
Should ones stage name be close to one's real name?
(like Idina, who was born Adena.)

Posted: 1/5/05 at 3:02am

it depends on the person... sometimes stage names (like say, Mistress) are just taken to give off an attitude. others are taken cuz a name is too difficult to say/figure out how to pronounce (possibly idina's reason) or even because theres someone with the same name or similar name in the same field (friend of mind has that concern) Updated On: 1/5/05 at 03:02 AM

[Jon]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 7:25am

"Adena" looks like "adenoid". "Idina" looks like how it's pronounced. Good decision on her part.

[wildcat]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 7:28am

Many people change their names through numerology, choosing a name that better suits their personality or that might give their life more momentum. At one point, the wonderful Kaye Ballard was billing herself without the "e" (it didn't work...she changed it back). Some people "Anglicise" their names if they feel they are too ethnic. Or they just change them because a different name will look better in lights!

[Jon]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 7:41am

And yet, Norbert Leo Butz and Jennifer Butt are just fine the way they are!

[wildcat]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 7:46am

Don't forget the famous Yiddish comedian Leo Fuchs.

[ckeaton]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 9:38am

I changed my last name. I took another family name which is much better than my original last name. Doesn't it sound good... Senator Keaton?

[midtowngym]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 10:01am

Forget the name, FF. Let's hear about your relative traveling with the circus. Is it like Dumbo, where everyone drinks after the show and the clowns are even scarier when the makeup comes off? 'Pink Elephants on Parade...'

[ckeaton]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 10:03am

Remember people... it's circus, NOT carnival. There's a huge difference. Circus people are performers of a sort. Carnies are frigging scary.

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 12:24pm

Some actors have to change their name to join SAG.

An example is Michael J. Fox- He wanted to go by the name Michael Fox, but there was already a Michael Fox in SAG and no two SAG actors can have the same name, so he added a J(which doesn't stand for anything)

[robbiej]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 12:30pm

Actually, I remember hearing that his middle name actually beings with an 'A' (like 'Andrew' or something) and didn't want his name to be Michael A. Fox.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 12:39pm

He took the J in reverence to an actor he admired named Michael J. Pollard.

[~FloweryFriend~]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 1:36pm

I think that 'Aiea' might be too hard to pronounce. Maybe if I change it to 'Aya'?

[ckeaton]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 1:37pm

I've always thought that Angela was a pretty name. How about that one... I mean, it starts with an 'A', and describes your angelic nature.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 1:42pm

I am not sure if i am keeping my first name, but i AM droping my last name...my middle name is too christian and i am jewish. but my middle name can also be a last name - esp Russian (like my russian prof)...

[LaeloftheLakes]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 1:48pm

Another example of an actor who had to change his name is Nathan Lane (b. Joseph Lane). I actually know the woman who suggested the name "Nathan" to him.

[~FloweryFriend~]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 1:48pm

Very funny ck.

[Joshua488]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 1:53pm

In my case, I use my first, middle and last name in my stage name. Nobody ever calls me "Joshua", and NO ONE has ever used my middle name in referring to me. I like it because, to me, it looks more complete than just my first and last name.

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 3:01pm

La Lane has gone to print saying he chose his first name for Nathan Detroit, even prior to the B'way revival casting (from his dinner theatre days playing the role, i believe). Maybe your friend knew him then? or this version makes a better story?

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 4:18pm

"" took another family name which is much better than my original last name."" ~CK

Actually,CK, darlin' I heard your family took a new name and address...but you kept on finding them! yuk..yuk..

More famous stage names:
Alice Cooper, Axl Rose, Barry Manilow, Bing Crosby, Buddy Holly,Cher,David Bowie, David Copperfield,Demi Moore,Diana Ross,Elton John,Englebert Humperdinck (figure that stage name), Eric Clapton,Gene Wilder,Harry Houdini,John Cleese, John Wayne,Meg Ryan, Mel Gibson,Michael Caine,Neil Diamond,Nicholas Cage,Omar Sarif,Ralph Lipschitz,Ricky Martin,Stevie Wonder,Tina Turner, Tom Cruise,Whoopie Goldberg (duh), Woddy Allen...

do a search to find their real names...or pay me a buck a name. :)

[ckeaton]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 4:21pm

Funny.

Gordon Sumner is...

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 4:21pm

less we forget Vanilla Ice...

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 4:22pm

I believe Demi Moore's name is Demi Moore, although the Moore is her first husband's last name. Is that not correct?

Posted: 1/5/05 at 5:16pm

Bernadette Peters was originally Bernadette Lazzarra. Peter was her father's name.

[CurtainUp]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 5:28pm

I heard she changed it bc she didn't want to get typecast in Italian roles.