Man Ray was born Emmanuel Radnitzky. Very early in life, his brother suggested the family change their last name to Ray. Young Emmanuel decided “Man” would be a cooler nickname than “Manny”–like all the other guys on the block. So his name was changed–legally–*long *before he knew he was going to be a famous artist & photographer.
Then, there’s Benedict Cumberbatch.
Nickelodeon “Tween” pop star Victoria Justice.
I’m still not convinced. I double-checked again right before I posted it. Yes, her parents’ last name is Justice.
Holy Cats! I can’t believe I forgot Bent Fabric!!!
I mentioned one Zappa drummer upthread (Artie Tripp); I should also mention the distinctly percussive-sounding Chad Wackerman.
Fliehr is also apparently pronounced closer to “fleer” (like the baseball cards – do they still make those? lol) than “flair”, so it’s not even a non-pseudonym from a purely spoken standpoint.
Resurrecting this because I don’t want to start a whole new thread just to add Rocky George to the list. For some reason I was compelled to Google his name a minute ago and I was certain it was a pseudonym, but apparently, as far as I can tell, that’s his real name.
How about Morticia Addams’ Grandmama, Blossom Rock?
I would say that Christian is the common spelling, not Kristian, which just looks strange to me.
Who was, coincidentally and off-topically, the sister of Jeanette MacDonald.
His name is Robert De Niro? Do his good friends call him Bobby Money?
CoCo Crisp.
Freese-Notis Weather, founded by a couple of Iowa State University meteorologists named Harvey Freese and Charlie Notis. They started out working for a Des Moines radio station and everybody assumed the name was “Freeze Notice Weather.”
…was born with just initials: J.R. He only took the name John when the Air Force insisted he have a real first name.
Brooklyn Decker
Too bad hospital administrators won’t let her answer the phone in the Intensive Care Unit. 
Does she wear underwear? 
Just noticed I already made this joke 2 years ago. :rolleyes:
Who could forget those two famous soldiers Flex Plexico and Max Fightmaster?
This one really cracks me up. There’s a rock in San Francisco Bay, prominent on all the charts, that’s called Blossom Rock after the ship (the SS Blossom) that came to grief after striking the rock. It’s very well known to recreational sailors and racers.