Fictional stage names

Examples of fictional s.

Union rules
Steven Mason kept his first name as is when he registered with SAG, as the name "Steve Mason" was already taken. Actor Cheb Omar was born Omar Khadra, but another SAG member was registered with the same name, so he took his first name and added the word "Cheb" (Arabic for "young man", and a title used by Algerian raï musicians) before it to create a new stage name. Janet Snyman, born Janice Claribel Snyman, changed her first name when she registered with Equity as there was already an actress going by "Janice Snyman".

Involuntary name changes
Joyce Miller, born Arleen Anne Miller, had her stage name chosen for her by her stepfather.

Julia Ivashko, born Yulia Ivashko, got her stage name when her parents decided to change her first name to its more common Western equivalent when she failed to be welcomed by Hollywood agents.

Ease of use
Actress Dana Frisco (born Dana Terwilliger) was asked to change her name by her manager, who told her that her name "wouldn't fit on a marquee", and she thus took the surname "Frisco" in honor of her hometown of. Actor Ian Hills was born Ian Thomas Hillsborough, and took his stage name because he wanted an "easy-to-remember name", along with the fact that "Ian Hill" was already taken.

Euphony and ease of remembrance
Some performers and artists may choose to simplify their name to make it easier to spell and pronounce, and easier for others to remember. Actor and comedian Tony Reeder uses the phonetic spelling of his surname, Rehder, as part of his stage name.

Australian actor Adam Balkenhol adopted the stage name Adam Bellflower when he moved to the United States, as he thought people would have difficulties spelling and/or pronouncing his surname.