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Name changes are fairly common for famous people at the top of society, especially those who immigrated. At least 7 US presidents legally changed their name. Tr
by _1tem 1y ago
Name changes are fairly common for famous people at the top of society, especially those who immigrated. At least 7 US presidents legally changed their name. Trump's family was originally Drumpf. Netanyahu was originally Mileikowsky. Obama was enrolled as "Barry Soetoro" in Catholic School. Joseph Stalin was Iosif Dzhugashvili. Lenin was Ulyanov. Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jeane Mortenson. Freddie Mercury was Farrokh Bulsara. Bob Dylan was born Robert Zimmerman. Elton John’s original name was Reginald Dwight. Even Queen Elizabeth II’s family originally carried the name Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, changing it to Windsor during WWI to sound less German.
- keepamovin 1y agoWow, this is fantastic, thank you!
- foogazi 1y agoDo you think there’s causal significance here with people changing their names manifesting or attracting fame ? Or is it more common to change one’s name and then some of them become famous ?
- _1tem 1y agoAs a person who changed my name, I think it simply signifies a massive internal, personal shift in identity and self-image; that is usually a characteristic of highly ambitious (aka crazy) people. I don’t think the name Elton John is any “better” than Reginald Dwight, it just probably made him, as a person, act differently and feel different from within. Other reason is for branding. Names matter. Trump is more brandable in America than Drumpf.
- Suppafly 1y ago>Name changes are fairly common for famous people at the top of society, especially those who immigrated. They are also common at the other end of the spectrum as well, as people get married and divorced and families adopt, plus all the nicknames people use in life.