There are all kinds of reasons why you should have a stage name. Maybe your real name has ten syllables or an unfortunate connotation. you need a name that everyone remembers easily and helps you establish your image.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Changing your own name
Step 1. Simplify your name
In many cases, stage names are simply simplified versions of a proper name. If your full name is long or difficult to pronounce, simplifying it may help. Some examples from practice are:
- Yves Saint Laurent (born Yves Henri Donat Mathieu-Saint-Laurent)
- Rudolph Valentino (born Rodolfo Alfonso Raffaello Pierre Filibert Guglielmi di Valentina D'Antonguolla)
Step 2. Anglicize your name
While this is controversial, some choose to adapt their name to an international audience. Similar to simplification, it usually involves changing a name that is difficult to pronounce to a short name that is easy to remember. Some examples of this are:
- Freddie Mercury (born Farrokh Bulsara)
- Kal Penn (born Kalpen Suresh Modi)
Step 3. Use your mother's maiden name
Use your mother's maiden name as your first or last name. This applies if your mother's maiden name is catchier or easier to remember than your own last name. As with most of these methods, the best way to test if the name is catchy is to ask about the reactions of people you know. Some examples are:
- Katy Perry (born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson) chose to use her mother's maiden name when she transitioned from gospel to pop music.
- Catherine Deneuve (born Catherine Fabienne Dorléac) chose to use her mother's maiden name to differentiate herself from her then more famous sister Françoise.
Step 4. Use one of your baptism names
Take one of your baptismal names if you have one and use it as your first or last name. This can be useful if your last name is difficult to pronounce, or if it is common, such as "Smit." A famous example of this is Angelina Jolie (born Angelina Jolie Voight).
Step 5. Use only one name
If your first name, last name, or any of your baptismal names sound unique, you can choose to use just those. Choose the name that offers the best compromise between pronounceable, memorable and catchy. Some examples of this are:
- Beyoncé (born Beyonce Giselle Knowles)
- Madonna (born Madonna Louise Ciccone)
- Rihanna (born Robyn Rihanna Fenty)
- Zendaya (born Zendaya Maree Stormer Coleman)
Method 2 of 3: Connecting your name to an image
Step 1. Choose a provocative word to add to your stage name
Create a name related to a genre or subculture you want to be identified with. For certain genres, such as heavy metal or punk, you may be able to cultivate an intimidating or wild image. You can do that by adding a word like "zombie" or "rotten" to your name. Some examples are:
- Sid Vicious (born John Simon Ritchie)
- Slash (born Saul Hudson)
Step 2. Stylize your name with numbers, hyphens or other special characters
Stylizing a name is a popular hip-hop habit, and it can give you an urban, streetwise image. You can benefit from this trend if you operate within hip-hop or pop music. Examples of this are:
- 2pac (born Tupac Amaru Shakur)
- E-40 (born Earl Stevens)
- Ke$ha (born Kesha Rose Sebert)
Step 3. Think about your idols
Many people choose a stage name that refers to people or things that have inspired them. There is no better way to pay your respects and immediately claim a particular tradition. Some examples:
- Cassie Ramone of Vivian Girls was inspired by The Ramones for her last name.
- Lady Gaga's name was inspired by Queen's song 'Radio Ga Ga'.
Method 3 of 3: Just come up with a name
Step 1. Think carefully about the meaning of the words you use
All words have a meaning, and you want the words you use in your stage name to relate to the style, subculture, and genre you want to belong to. People are attracted to a name that fits the genre they are interested in. Cliché or not, there's a reason so many surf-rock bands have the word "beach" in their names.
Step 2. Make sure people can look it up and pronounce it
If you want people to be able to find you on the web, don't pick a stage name with a word like "pencil" in it. You must be able to enter your artist name into Google, after which your results will immediately appear. And if people don't know what you're saying when you say your name, or if they can't spell it, they won't be able to remember you as easily.
Step 3. Choose something to tell a story
If you've come up with a good stage name that people can remember and that stands out, they'll start asking you questions about it. You have to be able to say more than it just sounds good. The best way to do that is to pick a stage name that really means something to you, if only slightly.
- Bono made his stage name from his childhood nickname, 'bono vox', which means 'beautiful voice' in Latin.
- Slash claims he was called that as a kid because he was always running around.
Step 4. Test your name
Try to get as much feedback from friends and acquaintances as possible about your new stage name. Maybe your name refers to something too obscure, or you can't quite understand it in a crowded cafe. It is very important to ask for a lot of opinions, because a stage name is all about the image that others have of you.
Tips
- Make sure you feel comfortable with your stage name. If you're just starting out and have a growing audience, changing your name may hinder your progress.
- A stage name may only be used once. If you choose an artist name, first find out if that name is not already in use. Check databases on the internet to see if your artist name is really unique.