Even though Meghan Markle was a famous Hollywood star, she became known to the whole world when she started dating Prince Harry in 2016. They got engaged in 2017, and in May 2018, we had the opportunity to see their royal wedding on screen (we who unfortunately weren’t invited). We all know Prince Harry married Meghan Markle. However, that is not her real name.
Meghan is actually Rachel
Doria Ragland and Thomas Markle got married in 1979, and in 1981 Doria Ragland gave birth to Rachel Meghan Markle. Doria never said why she decided to name her daughter that.
Why did Meghan decide to ditch her first name
Nobody knows when did she decide to go as Meghan instead of Rachel. Ever since she entered the gates of Hollywood, she was known as Meghan Markle. Her character in the show Suits, which made her recognizable, was actually Rachel Zoe. It could be that the Duchess of Sussex decided to as Meghan Markle as it was much memorable that Rachel Markle so that she could be more recognizable in Hollywood.
Other celebrities who changed their name
In Hollywood is it a common thing to have a stage name, to be more memorable to the world. Lady Gaga and Madonna are obviously stage names, but did you know that Katy Perry is actually Katherine Hudson? She changed her name since there is already a Kate Hudson in Hollywood, and she didn’t want to get confused. Destiny Hope Cyrus is Miley Cyrus, who legally changed her name a couple of years ago. Angelina Jolie’s real name is Angelina Voight. And did you know that Prince Harry’s real name is not Harry? His name is Henry, believe it or not.
Source: Cheat Sheet
