These celebrities changed their names before finding fame

When you rattle off a list of celebrity names from the top of your head it’s likely the words just roll smoothly off your tongue.

As though they’d been destined for stardom from the moment they were named, almost every A-List star has an aurally pleasant sounding moniker.

WATCH: Brad Pitt gives Renee Bargh a flirty wink

Alas, it’s no coincidence Hollywood’s biggest and brightest all have names that sound like they belong on a red carpet.

A number of celebrities have opted for a stage name as a way of standing out while simultaneously fitting into the elite circle of stardom.

Acclaimed actor James Earl Jones dies aged 93

Nicole Kidman says “heart is broken” after death of mother

Luke McGregor’s Amazing Race experience almost didn’t happen

Who is Channel Seven’s newsreader Angela Cox dating?

EXCLUSIVE: Celebrity chef Khanh Ong reveals his secrets to making midweek meals easier

“I have cancer”: Sunrise newsreader Edwina Bartholomew announces her heartbreaking diagnosis

Elton John reveals why he bowed out of the spotlight in recent months

Amanda Keller breaks down in TV interview when asked about her husband

Inside Elle Macpherson’s breast cancer journey and why she embraced a holistic approach to recovery

Paralympian James Turner breaks world record despite fighting glandular fever

Perhaps their original name was dull, odd sounding or difficult to pronounce, whatever the reason it’s extremely common for celebs to change their names. In many cases celebs actually choose to be called by their middle names – Meghan Markle and Reese Witherspoon are prime examples.

Scroll on to see which stars made a swap to help their project them to stardom.