Real Names of Rappers: How 15 MCs Chose Their Stage Names

The real names of some of these 15 rappers may come as a surprise to most fans. These MCs dropped their lame birth names and chose badass stage names to use instead. Find out the stories behind the catchy name choices!

Rappers are known for being tough, wearing lots of bling, and having cool rap monikers so fans may find it difficult to take a rapper named Algernod seriously, but that is the real name of one of the hip-hop stars on our list! The origins of some rap names have an interesting back story, while others remain a mystery.

Here are 15 famous rappers and their actual birth names!

Xzibit - Alvin Nathaniel Joiner 

His original rap name was "Xzibit A" with the "A" standing for his real name, Alvin. He is known as the host of the MTV show, Pimp My Ride, but he also became famous as a rapper in the West Coast scene. Alvin also goes by the nickname "X to the Z."

PLIES - Algernod Lanier Washington

Algernod aka Plies was a football player before realizing he wanted to become a rapper. He founded Big Gates Records and got his start in music. When the rapper has been asked about his rap name choice, he has explained that he chose it because it's a tool that squeezes things. He probably meant pliers, but it's still better than Algernod.

French Montana - Karim Kharbouch

French Montana was born in Morocco, which has a heavy French influence. The rapper combined French with his obsession of Tony Montana.

Gucci Mane - Radric Davis

Gucci is known for his love of the designer's fashion line, but it was actually his grandmother who nicknamed his father Gucci.

The rapper made his rap debut over a decade ago with the release of his album Trap House.

Future - Nayvadius Demun Wilburn

The star ended up with his stage name after members of The Dungeon Family called him "The Future." He signed a deal with Epic Records and released his hit album, Pluto, in 2012.

Waka Flocka Flame - Juaquin Malphurs

Flame actually chose his rap moniker due to his love of the Muppet character, Fozzie Bear. The "Flocka Flame" part of his name was given to him by fellow hip-hop star, Gucci Mane.

Iggy Azalea - Amethyst Amelia Kelly

This curvy rapper's name actually came from the name of her pet dog and Azalea was the name of the street she grew up on in Mullumbimby, New South Wales, Australia.

2 Chainz - Tauheed Epps

The origin of this name isn't that difficult to figure out. He loves jewelry, but also felt he got a second chance at becoming a star. Interestingly enough, his first stage name was actually Tity Boi.

Foxy Brown - Inga DeCarlo Fung Marchland

Inga realized she needed a stage name that was shorter and recalled the Pam Grier movies her mom watched when she was young. She came up with the cute alter-ego, Foxy Brown.

Wale - Olubowale Victor Aluntimehim

Wale's family hailed from Nigeria and came to the United States in the 1970s. The name Wale reportedly means "well-liked" in German.

Jay Z - Shawn Corey Carter

He grew up as Shawn Carter, but was later known by the nickname "Jazzy." He later changed that to Jay-Z in honor of his mentor, Jaz-O.

50 Cent - Curtis Jackson III

Jackson reportedly chose the nickname "50 Cent" as a metaphor for change. His rap moniker was inspired by the 1980's Brooklyn robber, Kelvin Martin, who was nicknamed "50 Cent."

Wiz Khalifa - Cameron Jibril Thomaz

Wiz was originally calling himself Wisdom, but later changed his name to Wiz. It reportedly means "knowledge" in Arabic. He added on the name Khalifa at the of 15. Some of his hit songs include "Black and Yellow," and "Work Hard, Play Hard."

M.I.A. - Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam

M.I.A's stage moniker refers to the phrase Missing in Action, due to the disappearance of her cousin when she was young.

ASAP ROCKY - Rakim Mayers

Rakim's parents were rap fans and named him after one of their favorite rappers, Rakim. He went on to join the ASAP Mob, adding the ASAP to his name and changing Rakim to Rocky.

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