Barbra Streisand
Barbra Streisand is a legend in music, film, and theater. She has had unmatched success in her career, winning two Academy Awards and ten Grammy Awards.
She has also won five Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom. Her influence and contributions to the arts are immense. At the age of 18, Streisand sought a way to stand out while retaining her authenticity.
Barbra Streisand at 18, circa 1960. | Source: Getty Images
Instead of adopting a completely different stage name, she decided to make a subtle yet impactful change. She reflected on her middle name, Joan. Considering suggestions like “Joanie Sands”, she found them too artificial.
Instead, Streisand opted to remove an ‘a’ from her first name, making it “Barbra” instead of “Barbara”. This small change allowed her to keep her given name while creating a unique identity that set her apart in entertainment.
Barbra Streisand receiving the Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Woman of Leadership Award on July 1, 2023, in Malibu, California. | Source: Getty Images
These nine celebrities each made a bold decision to change their names, a move that helped shape their identities and careers. These changes helped them stand out and ultimately achieve stardom, proving that sometimes, a name really does make all the difference.
