10 Celebrity Name Changes That Rocked The World

When Names Change, So Does the Buzz

Celebrities change their names all the time. Whether it's due to marriage, branding, tradition, or reinvention – the reasons vary, but the internet's reaction rarely does. For many fans, having to suddenly refer to their idols with a different name can be jarring.

Cultural sensitivities play a big part in this. For some, a woman taking her husband's name feels like a relic of the past, while for others, it's a meaningful expression of tradition and family unity. And then there's the growing middle ground, where couples choose joint surnames as a way to share both identities.

For the famous, it gets even more complicated. Their decisions often extend far beyond love or tradition. When a name is this powerful and this marketable, changing it can shift an entire brand and potentially cost a celebrity millions.

Whatever the motivation, one thing is certain: name changes will continue to cause debate. These ten entries show exactly why.

Sophia Smith – The NFL Connection

In January 2025, Sophia Smith married NFL wide receiver Michael Wilson. After the wedding, she updated her social media and club materials to use his surname, becoming Sophia Wilson. From then on, outlets made a point to refer to her as "formerly known as Sophia Smith."

The shift from "Sophia Smith" to "Sophia Wilson" touched a nerve among fans. Reddit threads filled with people complaining that she had "made a name for herself as Sophia Smith" only to change it now, or worrying about how it would affect jersey sales and record books.

"People need to find a hobby," Wilson herself replied, stating that her surname and family plans are none of the public's business.

Priyanka Chopra – Bridging Cultures

After marrying singer Nick Jonas in December 2018, Priyanka Chopra added his surname to become Priyanka Chopra Jonas. She later explained that she wanted to honor traditions without losing herself, saying, "I inherited a beautiful name and I hope to live up to its legacy."

The backlash came from both cultures. In the west, some criticized her for adopting her husband's name at all. In India, many expressed concern when she briefly removed "Jonas" from her Instagram bio, fearing it signaled a looming divorce.

The actress has repeatedly said the choice was hers, hoping future generations will see more flexibility in whether men or women change their surnames after marriage.

Salma Hayek – A Name with Weight

Salma Hayek legally took her husband François-Henri Pinault's last name in 2009, becoming Salma Hayek Pinault. In a 2023 chat with Jimmy Kimmel, she mentioned that she had always had the name, but "everybody refused to say it."

Some saw the billionaire surname as a status flex, joking it was more about reminding everyone of the luxury-group empire her husband runs than romance. Others framed it as "anti-feminist" for a powerful woman to foreground her husband's name at the height of her career.

Amal Alamuddin – Legal Identity Meets Hollywood

After marrying actor George Clooney in 2014, the human rights activist adopted his surname and began being credited as Amal Clooney in press and legal reporting. Her maiden name still appears in older casework and academic references.

The internet split in half. Some critics argued that such a high-profile lawyer shouldn't "erase" the Alamuddin name for a Hollywood star. Others pointed out it was her choice and that policing a woman's surname was its own form of control.

Meghan Markle – A Royal Rebranding

Born Rachel Meghan Markle, she became Meghan, Duchess of Sussex upon marriage, in line with royal convention. Officially, she explained in a 2025 interview that her legal name is tied to her title and that "Sussex" functions as the family surname she shares with Harry and their children.

Critics seized on her preference for "Meghan Sussex," accusing her of being obsessed with titles or trying to erase "Markle." Vogue noted that some outlets had "made a mountain" out of her decision to identify as Meghan Sussex.

Millie Bobby Brown – From Stranger Things to Married Life

After marrying Jake Bongiovi, son of rock star Jon Bon Jovi, Millie Bobby Brown reportedly updated her legal name to reflect her new married status. Fans circulated screenshots and claims that she is now legally "Millie Bobby Brown Bongiovi."

For some, the idea of Millie taking her husband's last name felt like a betrayal of the independent "girlboss" image they had projected onto her. Critics accused her of "rebranding herself around a nepo baby," while others pointed out that she is a 21-year-old woman allowed to make her own decisions.

Ashley Tisdale – The Disney Darling Grows Up

More than a decade after marrying musician Christopher French in 2014, Ashley Tisdale announced in November 2025 that she is now using her married name professionally, going by Ashley French.

Nostalgic fans were torn. They mourned the "end" of the Tisdale name that defined their childhood Disney Channel years, insisting they would always call her Ashley Tisdale no matter what. Supporters countered that she had been married for 11 years and was simply aligning her public identity with her personal life.

Brooklyn Beckham – A New Family Tradition

When Brooklyn married actress Nicola Peltz in 2022, the pair decided to merge their surnames, becoming "Peltz Beckham." Brooklyn later explained that they "kind of combined [their] last names" because he wanted to be different and show unity as a couple.

Supporters praised the move as a rare instance of a man embracing his wife's name and giving both families equal footing. Others believed the decision made the long-running tension between Nicola Peltz and the Beckham family even worse.

Kourtney Kardashian – Keeping Up with the Name Game

After marrying Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker in 2022, Kourtney updated her legal documents. In June 2023, she posted a black-and-white photo of her new driver's license showing "Kourtney Kardashian Barker."

Netizens joked that she was "too thirsty to drop" Kardashian, accusing her of trying to have it both ways: the traditional wife rebrand and the lucrative family surname at the same time.

Hailey Baldwin – Embracing the Bieber Brand

Shortly after their courthouse wedding in 2018, Hailey updated her Instagram handle to "Hailey Bieber," confirming the marriage publicly and aligning her brand with her husband's global fame.

Interestingly, the backlash came mostly from Selena Gomez loyalists, who have spent years keeping the alleged feud between the women alive because it keeps Justin Bieber at the center. Critics accused Hailey of marrying "into a last name" rather than building her own path.