Top 10 Celebrities Who Changed Their Names to Avoid Nepotism

Since she released her first singles in 2017, pop singer Samia has seen a rapid rise. The singer’s full name is Samia Najimy Finnerty, as in Kathy Najimy and Dan Finnerty. Her parents are both veteran actors who are best-known for their TV and comedy work respectively. Who would have guessed that Peggy Hill’s kid would become an edgy pop star? Samia may have grown up learning how to navigate the entertainment industry, but it was her artistry that broke her into music. The successes she’s achieved are based on talent first and foremost.

Olivia Wilde has achieved tremendous success on both sides of the camera. The surname ‘Wilde’ is actually a famous one, taken from ‘Oscar Wilde’ - but it’s just her self-given, professional name. Her real name also holds esteem, but in British journalism. Andrew Cockburn took his parents’ legacy to America, serving as editor of Harper's Magazine and collaborating with wife Leslie on many hard-hitting stories and documentaries. Their daughter opted for fictional filmmaking, where her award-winning parents could still have lent a lot of clout. However, Olivia Cockburn adopted a stage name to honor a literary legend. She also takes advantage of her platform for activism. Despite straying from the family business of journalism, Olivia is doing the Cockburn and Wilde names both a great service.

Okay, filmmaker Malia Ann is not quite an independent celebrity yet. But she's on her way out from a very bright spotlight. Her parents are none other than former U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle. Malia and Sasha Obama grew up as two of the biggest socialites in politics. The Obamas have since entered the film industry with Higher Ground Productions, but one was willing to start from the ground up. Going by only her first and middle name, Malia Ann co-wrote an episode of Amazon's “Swarm” and made the award-winning short film “The Heart”. These credits could be just the beginning of a promising career removed from the White House.

Australian-American actress Leila George quickly established herself as a scene-stealer with the blockbuster “Mortal Engines” and the TV drama “Animal Kingdom”. People may have been surprised to learn that George’s real last name is D'Onofrio. Her father Vincent is a legendary Hollywood character actor, who in fact directed George in the 2019 Western “The Kid”. It’s also hard to hide the connection to Italian-Australian actress Greta Scacchi, as George is the spitting image of her mother. Nonetheless, sticking to her middle name has allowed her to cultivate her own fanbase.

Award-winning country rocker Elle King credits her stepdad with sparking her love for music. Her biological father is veteran actor and comedian Rob Schneider, who may have pulled some strings to get his daughter a cameo in “Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo”. After that, Elle King, real name Tanner Elle Schneider, went by her middle name and her mother's maiden name to break into the music industry. According to her, her famous father wasn’t a model dad, sending her to weight loss camp and forgetting her birthdays. Schneider has apologized, although given their vehement disagreements over politics, Tucker Carlson’s podcast MIGHT not have been an ideal choice of platform …

Norah Jones has long been a beacon of modern pop stardom in jazz. Her father also had a unique impact on music around the world. She was conceived during an affair between an American concert producer and Indian sitar master Ravi Shankar. Geethali Norah Jones Shankar didn't see much of her father growing up, and had her name legally shortened at age 16. She then climbed her way to great renown from the New York lounge scene. Jones has collaborated with her half-sister, Anoushka Shankar, who’s sometimes a guest on her podcast. She may otherwise be far removed from Indian classical, but her talent and success live up to the Shankar legacy.

Singer-songwriter Henry Wolfe has made a splash in indie folk, while youngest sister Louisa Jacobson is making an impression in the family business. Their mother is the iconic actress Meryl Streep, whose four children are all stars themselves. Middle daughters Mamie and Grace Gummer are particularly prolific actresses under the respected name of their sculptor father Don. Henry sticking to his middle name is a testament to his personal brand in a different industry. Louisa actually followed that credit style because there was already a Louisa Gummer in the Screen Actors Guild. It’s just as well, as she is making a name for herself just like her big brother and their revered parents did.

Actually, actor Emilio Estevez achieved personal stardom by not changing his name. His father Ramón Gerard Antonio Estévez is better-known by the stage name Martin Sheen. Sheen changed his name to avoid prejudice against Hispanic Americans, but later regretted it, and told Emilio not to follow suit. While Emilio’s brother Charlie also opted to go by Sheen, Emilio ultimately decided to follow his dad’s advice. He was also reluctant to drop the catchy alliteration of his real name, and “didn't want to ride into the business as ‘Martin Sheen’s son’.” Granted, the family resemblance is hard to miss.

Oscar winner Angelina Jolie has achieved incomparable stardom for her acting range and philanthropy. She's also one of the definitive cases of a legacy star who managed to break from the legacy. Her father Jon Voight is himself an Oscar-winning legend, who was estranged from his children for much of their lives. Angelina Jolie Voight entered into acting under her first and middle name. She eventually made this change legal, amid conflicts with her father. Their relationship has been turbulent through the years, to say the least. Their starkly opposed political activism is particularly high-profile. But despite these conflicts, Voight and Jolie’s prolific careers are separately distinguished.

There aren't many names in Hollywood more recognizable than Nicolas Cage. And he got there without leaning on one of the most respected names in Hollywood. Nicolas Kim Coppola is the nephew of iconic director Francis Ford Coppola. But Nicolas stands alone with a handle inspired by composer John Cage and Marvel superhero Luke Cage. Cage overcame the highest nepotism to become an acclaimed and beloved megastar in his own right. Sons Weston and Kal-El, however, seem to have been proud to enter the industry as Cages - and fair enough!

Who are your favorite secret nepo babies? Drop some names in the comments.