Snoop Lion, Charlie Sheen, and 19 Self Obsessed Celebs Who Changed Their Names

In case you were not aware, the artist formally known as Snoop Dogg (and born Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr.), will now and forever be know as Snoop Lion. The name change comes after the OG announced his plan to release a reggae album under the new moniker. The Dogg, oops, I mean the Lion, also announced his decision to leave the rap game behind and focus on his new career as a reggae musician. Snoop Lion is just another addition to the long list of celebrities who have decided to rename themselves after some life-altering event or in attempt to rise to fame. For some, changing their name was the key to their success, while for others it’s the joke that never gets old.

That said, here’s a list of the 19 most memorable celebrity name changes.  

1. Ron Artest = Metta World Peace

Let's be real; there is no good explanation for any man to change his name to World Peace unless you are the winner of a Nobel Peace Prize. He is not, but that didn't stop the Laker from trying to inspire the youth to come together in honor of his name. 

2. Frederick Austerlitz = Fred Astaire

Who knew the suavest man in the world was born with a different last name? Not that I condone name changing (or name-keeping), but Astaire does have a nice ring to it.

3. Norma Jean Mortenson Baker = Marilyn Monroe

Probably one of the most successful and smartest name changes ever made goes to Ms. Monroe, who continues to define the standards of beauty even after her death.

4. Lisa Bonet = Lilakoi Moon

Although most know her as wild-child Denise Huxtable from The Cosby Show, Bonet legally changed her name to Lilakoi Moon in 1992. 

5. Farrokh Bulsara = Freddie Mercury

The Parsi British rocker and Queen front-man goes down in history as one the greatest lead vocalists ever. 

6. Anna Mae Bullock = Tina Turner

The ageless singer showed the world that love's got nothing to do with it when it comes to getting out of an abusive relationship (take notes, Rihanna). And to this day, no one can keep up with those legs.

7. Eric Bishop = Jamie Foxx

The actor openly admits to changing his name to sound gender-neutral since female comedians got on stage earlier back when he was on the comedy circuit.

8. Christina Claire Ciminella = Wynonna Judd

The country singer's former name was quite a mouthful, so it only makes sense that she chose a streamlined version to match her famous sister, Ashley Judd.

9. Lesane Parish Crooks = Tupac Shakur

Just look at him; could you imagine calling Tupac Shakur anything but Tupac Shakur?

10. Chad Johnson = Chad Ochocinco = Chad Johnson

The cocky NFL pro famously changed his last name in honor of his jersey number, 85. However, he recently changed it back to his birth name after a little prodding from his fiance. 

11. Destiny Hope Cyrus = Miley Cyrus

The Disney Channel darling legally changed her name to a nickname ... of a nickname. Her family used call her "Smiley" which somehow got shortened to "Miley."

12. Sean Combs = Puff Daddy = P. Diddy = Diddy

Diddy's choice in names can be likened to technological advances; he's always trying to streamline his name to stay fresh. It's about being sleeker, shorter, and faster (to say).

13. Reginald Dwight = Elton John

Hmmm, if you change the glasses, let his hair get greasy, and put on a mustard yellow shirt with tan pants, he could totally pass for a. 

14. Steven Demetre = Cat Stevens = Yusuf Islam

The hit singer changed his name again to Yusuf Islam in 1977 after converting to Islam and dedicating his life to raise money for Islamic awareness projects.

15. Carlos Irwin Estevez = Charlie Sheen

Latins are known for being fiery, so maybe this explains Sheen's Anger Management issues. 

16. Jerome Silberman = Gene Wilder

The comedian was inspired by the character Eugene Gant in Look Homeward, Angel by Thomas Wolfe as well as novelist Thornton Wilder; he mixed the best of both together to create the ultimate super name. 

17. Caryn Johnson = Whoopi Goldberg

Very few people would name themselves after a toy, especially one like the whoopee cushion, but that plus a Jewish surname was the magical combination for Whoopi Goldberg. 

18. Russell Tyrone Jones = ODB = BBJ (aka Ol’ Dirty Bastard = Big Baby Jesus)

With a name like Ol' Dirty Bastard, any change is a good change, right?

19. Prince = ? (see below)

The man is so famous, he changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol and still was an icon. That's boss.