Hot Gallery: Guess Who? Check Out Your Favorite Celebs’ Names Before They Rose to Stardom!

meg ryan yearbook high school young 1979 photo

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Original Name: Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra

Already begging the question “Can men and women just be friends?” this lovable girl next door, seen here in her senior high school yearbook in 1979, would go on to place the most memorable order ever taken in a film. (Yeah, we’ll have what she’s having too.)

meg ryan yearbook high school young 1979 photo red carpet 2010

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Now Known As: Meg Ryan

Looking to make some extra cash while pursuing her journalism degree at NYU, Meg took up acting and a stage name—since she kept landing gigs, it stuck. Best known as the girl you can’t help but fall in love with, she has starred in a string of rom-coms like When Harry Met Sally..., Sleepless in Seattle, and You’ve Got Mail. (Her years of success are more proof that it’s okay to switch majors.)

demi moore yearbook high school young 1977 photo

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Original Name: Demetria Gene Guynes

This angelic beauty, seen here in 1977 as a freshman in her high school yearbook, would go on to become a brat packer and a cougar.

demi moore yearbook high school young 1977 photo red carpet 2011

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Now Known As: Demi Moore

Demi traded in her stepfather’s surname for that of her first husband, Freddy Moore, and though the third time married wasn’t a charm (in case you live under a rock, she was also married to Bruce Willis), the former Mrs. Kutcher has more than just a few good men to fall back on. This sometimes-controversial age-defying beauty also has an impressive list of credits under her very tiny belt, like St. Elmo’s Fire, Ghost, A Few Good Men, Indecent Proposal, G.I. Jane, and Charlie’s Angels. If that’s not enough, in 1996 she also became the highest-paid actress in Hollywood, paving the way for higher salaries for women in the biz.

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Original Name: Jonathan Stuart Leibowitz

This political satirist, seen here in his senior high school yearbook in 1980, went on to become part of our daily routine.

jon stewart yearbook young 1980 photo red carpet 2011

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Now Known As: Jon Stewart

Though his reason for changing his name is not officially confirmed, it seems his quip about it being too Hollywood might just be truth enough. Though his breakthrough role was on The Larry Sanders Show, he is best known for The Daily Show, which has not only gone on to win countless awards and launch the careers of the likes of Steve Carell, Ed Helms, and Stephen Colbert, it has also become the primary news source for many an American. (Jon Stewart for President!) Check out all the other Hosts of Late-Night TV, Before They Were Stars photos!

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Original Name: Shawn Corey Carter

This A-list rapper, seen here in his eighth-grade yearbook in 1983, went on to have 99 Problems—Beyonce ain’t one of them.

jay z yearbook young 1983 photo red carpet 2010

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Now Known As: Jay-Z

Beyonce’s baby daddy took on his new moniker after an early appearance on Yo! MTV Raps with his then-mentor/partner Jaz-O. More than just giving his mentor props, it was also play on his childhood nickname, "Jazzy," and (my fave part) a shout-out to the J/Z subway station near his Brooklyn home. Since then he’s gone on to produce a myriad of hits, like Big Pimpin’; Izzo, Can I Get A…; Empire State of Mind; and of course his latest, daughter Blue Ivy.

charlie sheen yearbook high school young 1983

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Original Name: Carlos Irwin Estevez

This second-generation actor, seen here as a senior in his high school yearbook in 1983, went on to have more than just the acting bug in his blood. Correction, tiger blood.

charlie sheen yearbook high school young 1983 red carpet 2011

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library, Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Now Known As: Charlie Sheen

Following in his father Martin Sheen’s footsteps and taking his name into the family business, this “warlock” is as well known for his exploits off-screen (like I need to list them for you) as he is for his accomplishments on-screen. With a list of notable titles like Red Dawn, Platoon, Wall Street, Major League, Spin City, Two and a Half Men, and FX's Anger Management , Charlie’s resume is indeed winning.

jamie foxx yearbook high school young 1986 photo

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library

Original Name: Eric Marlon Bishop

This comedian/actor/musician, seen here as a senior in his high school yearbook in 1986, would turn dare into 20-plus years of colorful truth. (His first time onstage was a dare from a girlfriend!)

jamie foxx yearbook high school young 1986 photo red carpet 2011

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Now Known As: Jamie Foxx

Following the adage "Ladies first," Jamie took his androgynous name in hopes of getting extra stage time, adding an additional "X" as homage to fellow comedian Redd Foxx. Though we first got to know him on In Living Color, Jamie has repeatedly proven that funnymen can do more than just land a joke, producing chart-topping albums like Unpredictable and turning out “X”tra special performances in Ray (which earned him an Oscar as well as a rare second nomination that year for Collateral), The Soloist, and Dreamgirls.

katy perry yearbook high school young 2000 photo

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library

Original Name: Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson

This California “gurl,” seen here as a freshman in her high school yearbook in 2000, would go on to make her teenage dream come true.

katy perry yearbook high school young 2000 photo red carpet 2011

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Now Known As: Katy Perry

After releasing an unsuccessful gospel album under her birth name, she took her mother’s maiden name, and a Perry was born! (We can't have two Kate Hudsons floating around in the Hollywood ether.) With two Grammy nominations and millions of records sold, this glam girl-next-door’s high-octane energy goes beyond her hair color and right into our heads with catchy pop tunes like "I Kissed a Girl," "Ur So Gay," "Last Friday Night," "California Gurls," and "Firework."

alice cooper yearbook high school young 1966 photo

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Original Name: Vincent Damon Furnier

This son of a preacher man, seen here as a senior in his high school yearbook in 1966, went on to shape heavy metal with his shock-rock ways.

alice cooper yearbook high school young 1966 photo performing live 2011

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library, Chiaki Nozu/WireImage

Now Known As: Alice Cooper

Furnier adopted the innocuous-sounding Alice Cooper (originally the ironic name of his rock band) when he started his solo career. Known as much for his music as he is for his theatrics, this shock rocker has been pumping out hits like "School’s Out" and "No More Mr. Nice Guy" for the past 40 years. In 1998 he added restaurateur to his list of credits with the opening of Coopers’town in his hometown of Phoenix, Arizona, serving up a menu full of BBQ and the pop culture he helped to create. Click through these shocking Before They Were Stars pics of heavy metal rockers!

bob dylan yearbook high school young 1959 photo

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Original Name: Robert Allen Zimmerman

This prolific folk/rock icon, seen here as a senior in his high school yearbook in 1959, would go on to voice generations of transitions as the times kept a-changin’.

bob dylan yearbook high school young 1959 photo performing live 2012

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Now Known As: Bob Dylan

Dylan adopted his name as homage to the poet Dylan and is best known for his songs "Like a Rolling Stone," "Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door," and "Blowin’ in the Wind" (to name but a few—he’s released 46 albums and written over 500 songs!). He’s been called a modern-day poet himself, with an extensive catalogue that has influenced generations—just like his namesake.

martha stewart yearbook high school young 1959 photo

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library

Original Name: Martha Helen Kostyra

This maven of taste and etiquette, seen here as a senior in her high school yearbook in 1959, would go on to build an empire of tact.

martha stewart yearbook high school young 1959 photo red carpet 2012

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Now Known As: Martha Stewart

This model turned stockbroker turned caterer turned multimedia magnate has been practicing her domestic ways since she was a teen, but she didn’t get her famous moniker until she married. Since then, she’s become such a household commodity, she hardly needs a last name. In fact, much of her franchise thrives off the question, “What would Martha do?” Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia currently trades on the New York Stock Exchange (MSO) and encompasses brands such as Martha Stewart Living magazine, Martha Stewart Everyday home products, marthastewart.com, Martha Stewart Crafts, and books like Martha Stewart’s Cooking School.

steven tyler yearbook high school young 1964 photo

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Original Name: Steven Victor Tallarico

This scarf-touting frontman, seen here as a freshman in his high school yearbook in 1964, would go on to judge those who dream of being idols like him.

steven tyler yearbook high school young 1964 photo red carpet 2011

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Now Known As: Steven Tyler

When Steven came to Aerosmith, he traded in the name on his birth certificate for one a little more user-friendly. It seems to have worked—in their 40 years of recording, Aerosmith has given us countless hits, such as "Walk This Way," "Dream On," "I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing," "Sweet Emotion," and "Dude Looks Like a Lady," while Steven has given us hits like Liv Tyler. He was a judge on American Idol.