A stage name, or a screen name for movie stars, is a pseudonym used by performers and actors.
People may take a stage name because their real name is considered unattractive, dull, amusing for the wrong reasons, or projects the wrong image; or because they wish to remain anonymous in relation to another sphere of work. In past decades stage names were used because certain actors' real names were considered too "ethnic." In the United Kingdom, the actors' union Equity stipulates that no two members may have the same working name, and therefore actors are often forced to modify their name or take a new one. The Screen Actors Guild has similar rules in the United States.
A consideration in choosing a stage name is ease of use. Actor's Equity Association (AEA) advises performers to select a name that is easy for others to pronounce, spell and remember. A survey of the three U.S. regional heads of AEA reveals that a performer whose name is difficult to pronounce, spell, or remember is less likely to be hired than other performers.
Many performers refer to their stage name as their "professional name."
Famous stage names include:
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- Q-Tip - Jonathan Davis Kamal IV
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