By Alisha Tillery

Celebrities are celebrated now more than ever as they continue to perfect the art of publicity and branding. They’re changing career lanes, dabbling in other forms of art, religion and social causes and lately, changing their names, too. It doesn’t happen very often, but when it does, you can’t help but ask why. Whether they’re driven by strong personal reasons, publicity stunts or just for kicks, check out this list of celebs who’ve abandoned their government names, and you decide.