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Celebrities Who've Changed Their Names To Broaden Market Appeal (PHOTOS)

Stars Change Their Latino Names For Fame And Success
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Once upon a time stars Anglicized their names to appeal to a broader market. A Mexican-American musician, most famous for the early rock-and-roll hit La Bamba, changed his name from Richard Valenzuela to Ritchie Valens at the encouragement of record executives. Charlie Sheen was born Carlos Estevez. Anthony Quinn was once Antonio Rodolfo Quinn-Oaxaca.

But more and more it seems celebrities are changing their names to be more appealing to their audiences by reinforcing their Hispanic heritage. Journalist Geraldo Rivera used to be Gerald, and Carlos Mencia? His real name is Ned!

Even non-Latinos are getting into the game. Up and coming musician, Lana del Rey doesn't have any Latina or Spanish ancestry. Rather, she thought the Latina name would help complete the persona she's adopted to help interest audiences and sell albums.

Take a look below at celebrities who've either Anglicized or Hispanicized their names. Let us know your thoughts about all of this by voting and in comments below.

Latino Name Changes
Charlie Sheen(01 of09)
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Carlos Irwin Estevez adopted the stage name Charlie Sheen in high school, after his father's decision to adopt the stage name Martin Sheen in honor of the Catholic archbishop and theologian Fulton J. Sheen. Sheen is partially of Spanish descent. He is perhaps best known for his roles in Platoon, Spin City and Two and a Half Men.
Anthony Quinn(02 of09)
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Born Antonio Rodolfo Quinn-Oaxaca, Quinn was a two-time Academy Award-winning Mexican American actor, painter and writer best known for his roles in Viva Zapata! in 1952 and Lust for Life in 1956.
Raquel Welch(03 of09)
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Born Jo Raquel Tejada, Welch is most well known for her now iconic animal print bikini picture from 1966's One Million Years B.C. Welch's father is Bolivian, of Spanish descent. (credit:Getty)
Geraldo Rivera(04 of09)
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Born Gerald Michael Riviera, this American journalist and attorney changed his name in 1969 when a news director requested to go with the pronunciation used by the Puerto Rican side of Rivera's family, perhaps to appeal to a Latino audience in New York. (credit:Getty Images)
Rita Hayworth(05 of09)
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Born Margarita Carmen Cansino, Hayworth was one of the biggest starlettes of the 1940's. She dyed her hair red and took her mother's maiden name, shedding her Spanish heritage with it. Her father was originally from Spain and her mother was of Irish and English descent.
Carlos Mencia(06 of09)
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Born Ned Arnel Mencia, controversial stand up comedian, Carlos Mencia has faced criticism for both alleged "joke theft" and his stage name. When asked by LatinoVoices why he changed his name, he said:
The owner of the Comedy Store suggested it. She said to me, "You can't be an angry Mexican named Ned." I told her I wasn't Mexican and she replied, "Everyone is going to think you are Mexican. It's the way it is. Don't fight it." And, I remember thinking, "Well, I have an uncle named Carlos." She said, "Carlos Mencia, that's melodious." And, that was it.
Lana Del Rey(07 of09)
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Born Elizabeth Grant, this American singer-songwriter adopted the stage name Lana Del Rey after encouraged to find a name that fit her music style better. She said in an interview with Repeat Fanzine that, "Lana Del Rey came from a series of managers and lawyers over the last 5 years who wanted a name that they thought better fit the sound of the music."
Kid Cudi(08 of09)
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Kid Cudi became a music sensation after his song "Day n' Nite" debuted in 2008. Kid Cudi, whose birth name is Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to an African American mother and a Mexican father, according to Latina. Since his mega hit in 2008, the rapper has also ventured into the acting world. He plays Domingo Brown on the HBO series, "How to Make it in America".
Ritchie Valens(09 of09)
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Born Richard Steven Valenzuela, Valens was a Mexican-American singer, songwriter and guitarist, known best for his song La Bamba. His first record label, Del-Fi decided that changing h"Valenzuela" to "Valens" would broaden his appeal.

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