Many celebrities have chosen to legally change their names for various reasons over the years. Angelina Jolie, born Angelina Jolie Voight, dropped her last name in 2002 due to her strained relationship with her father, Jon Voight. Similarly, her daughter Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt recently petitioned to remove 'Pitt' from her name and will now go by Shiloh Jolie.
Dove Cameron changed her name from Chloe Celeste Hosterman to Dove in honor of her late father who used to call her by that name. Kelly Clarkson adopted the name Kelly Brianne after her divorce, stating that it better reflects her identity.
Lisa Bonet legally changed her name to Lilakoi Moon for privacy reasons but continues to use Lisa Bonet professionally. Miley Cyrus, originally Destiny Hope Cyrus, became Miley Ray Cyrus in 2008 to fulfill her parents' hope for her to bring hope to the world.
Fergie Duhamel reverted to Stacy Ann Ferguson after divorcing Josh Duhamel. Cher simplified her name from Cherilyn Sarkisian LaPiere Bono Allman to just Cher in 1978. Carlos and Alexa PenaVega combined their last names after marriage to become PenaVega.
Jada Pinkett Smith added Smith to her name after marrying Will Smith but expressed concerns about losing her independence. Macaulay Culkin changed his name to Macaulay Macaulay Culkin Culkin after a fan poll for a new middle name.
Olivia Wilde adopted her last name from author Oscar Wilde to honor her family's writers. Elton John, previously Reginald Kenneth Dwight, chose Elton Hercules John inspired by bandmates. Skeet Ulrich derived his stage name from a childhood nickname and his stepfather's surname.
Rita Wilson, born Margarita Ibrahimoff, had her family name changed by her father and added Hanks after marrying Tom Hanks in 1988.
