What's in a Name?

"Carruthers, Peregrine Carruthers" doesn't quite sound as well as "Bond, James Bond," but that is what author Ian Fleming was originally going to name his super-spy. He decided against it because he realized that exotic and fantastic things would be going on around Bond, so he needed a dull name to provide some balance. A name like Peregrine would blow any spy's cover.

If you think that is bad Walt Disney originally wanted to name his iconic toon Mortimer Mouse. He eventually changed the name to Mickey Mouse at the bequest of his wife. She didn't think kids would vibe well with the name. Apparently Disney didn't listen 100%. A new character appeared a few years after the introduction of Mickey named Mortimer. Never heard of him? There's a good reason.

It may not surprise you that Star Wars hero Luke Skywalker was originally named Annikin Starkiller. Before George Lucas had pounded out all the intricate details of Star Wars this character was a composite of Han Solo and Luke Skywalker. He was in the learning phase like Luke but had the cockiness of Han. Eventually the two broke but Lucas held onto the name Anakin for Luke's father. Luke was also named Justin Valor for a while in between the Starkiller and Skywalker phase. That name is a bit too cheesy.

So what's the point? People change names all the time - especially celebrities. Want to know some of their real names? Trust me some are embarrassing. Enjoy.


Chevy Chase - Cornelius Crane Chase
John Wayne - Marrion Morrison
Tom Jones - Thomas Jones Woodward
Cary Grant - Archie Leach
Audrey Hepburn - Edda Van Heemstra Hepburn
Tiger Woods - Elridge Tiger Woods
Fred Astaire - Frederick Austerlitz
Richard Burton - Richard Walter Jenkins Jr.
Queen Latifa - Dana Owens
Marilyn Monroe - Norma Jean Baker
Ringo Starr - Richard Starkey
Rodney Dangerfield - Jack Roy
Kid Rock - Bob Ritchie
Bob Hope - Leslie Towne Hope
Larry King - Lawrence Zeiger
Ludacris - Christopher Brian Bridges
Gene Simmons - Chiam Witz
Ice Cube - O'Shea Jackson
Madonna - Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone
Lewis Carroll - Rev. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson

50 Cent to 99 Cent?

50 Cent is involved in yet another feud, this time with fast food giant Taco Bell.

The chain offered the rapper a deal: $10,000 to the charity of his choice if he changed his moniker to 79, 89 or 99 Cent (he could choose which one) to promote Taco Bell's value menu. Fiddy would also make an appearance at a Taco Bell and order drive-thru via a rap.

The proposal was sent to the rapper, as well as the press, via a letter that read: "We know that you adopted the name 50 Cent years ago as a metaphor for change. We at Taco Bell are also huge advocates for change. We encourage you to 'Think Outside the Bun' and hope you accept our offer."

The rapper not only declined the offer, but he also threatened to involve his lawyers.

"When my legal team is finished with them, Taco Bell is going to have a new corporate slogan: 'We messed with the bull and got the horns!' " 50 Cent said.

His rep also complained about the chain's proposal.

"This is a sleazy and ill-conceived publicity stunt by Taco Bell's president, Greg Creed, whose disingenuous offer was leaked to the press before it was even presented to 50 Cent's agent yesterday," he said.

Ashlee Simpson changes name

Ashlee Simpson has decided to change her name to Ashlee Wentz in honor of her recent wedding to Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz, People reported.

"I think that that's something that a woman should do when they're marrying a man," the singer told People. "It's a tradition that I think is a great tradition."

She said that while she'll go by Ashlee Wentz in her personal life, professionally she'll be Ashlee Simpson-Wentz.

Her new husband said that he let Ashlee choose which name she would go by.

"These decisions with Ashlee and her name are all completely up to Ashlee," Wentz said. "I want her to do these kinds of things the way she wants to do them."

But he did say he was flattered by her decision to take his name.

"Oh man, I was like upgrade me! You know what I'm saying? The Wentz family, our Christmas card just got upgraded!" he added. "It feels insane. It feels unreal."

Miley Cyrus Says Goodbye to Destiny and Hope

Miley Cyrus petitioned the Los Angeles Superior Court to officially change her name from Destiny Hope Cyrus to Miley Ray Cyrus.

As a baby, the fifteen-year-old Hannah Montana star was given the nickname “Smiley Miley” by her father, country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, and has been called Miley ever since.

Miley’s parents filed the papers last Friday requesting “to make her commonly used name the same as her legal name.”

Miley and Billy Ray are hosting the CMT music award ceremony together on April 14th.