People Shocked To Learn Tom Cruise's Real Name And Why He Chose To Change It

It turns out a lot of people are only just finding out what Tom Cruise’s real name is — and why he made the decision to change it.

The legendary actor, now 63 years old, has become a global icon over decades in Hollywood, known for doing his own daring stunts in many of his action-packed and sci-fi blockbusters.

But what many fans might not realize is that the name he was born with is completely different from the one he’s made famous around the world.

Tom was born to Thomas Cruise Mapother III, who worked as an electrical engineer, and Mary Lee Pfeiffer, a special education teacher. He was raised alongside his three sisters, and the family lived in pretty tough conditions financially.

They grew up in what has been described as near poverty, and in a strict Catholic household. When Tom turned 18, he decided to walk away from his past and chase a dream in acting. That bold move eventually made him one of the biggest and most successful stars in the world.

Part of starting over included a name change. So, when he moved to New York City to begin his acting career, he dropped his full name — Thomas Cruise Mapother IV — and chose the now-famous stage name we all know him by today.

Tom Cruise's real name is quite a mouthful Mike Marsland/WireImage

The revelation has left fans stunned. Some said his real name sounds like something out of a royal family, while others jokingly claimed it sounded downright awful.

One person even tweeted: "Rolls off the tongue."

Another said their mind was completely blown when they discovered Cruise's actual name.

"No way, that's wild!" added another person online, and it seems like plenty of others had no idea either.

Apparently, Cruise shortened his name not just because it sounded better for Hollywood, but also to separate himself from his father. He’s previously described his dad as a violent 'bully', 'coward', and even a 'merchant of chaos'.

In a 2006 interview with Parade magazine, Cruise opened up about his dad, saying: "My father was the kind of person where, if something goes wrong, they kick you. It was a great lesson in my life - how he'd lull you in, make you feel safe and then, bang!"

"For me, it was like, 'There's something wrong with this guy. Don't trust him. Be careful around him.' There's that anxiety."

Tom’s mother, who passed away in 1984 from cancer, had divorced his father a decade earlier when Tom was just 12 years old.

Years later, Cruise reunited with his father in the hospital before he passed away, and looking back, he described that visit as deeply sad and emotional.

The actor has famously performed many of his own stunts Eric Robert/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images

He said: "When I saw him in pain, I thought, 'Wow, what a lonely life.' He was in his late 40s. It was sad."

Interestingly, some members of Tom’s extended family still use the Mapother name. One of them is his cousin William Mapother, who’s also an actor known for roles in the TV show Lost and the film Zodiac.

Of course, Tom isn’t the only celebrity who changed their name. Meghan Markle, for instance, was actually born Rachel Meghan Markle before opting to go by her middle name.

Singer Shania Twain was born Eilleen Regina Edwards. She later took on the last name Twain after her stepfather adopted her, and she chose “Shania” because she thought it sounded more fitting and beautiful for her music career.

Comedian and Saturday Night Live writer Elizabeth Stamatina Fey also made a change. She’s gone by “Tina” ever since elementary school, simply using the middle part of her full name.

And in a story similar to Tom Cruise’s, pop star Ricky Martin changed his name too. Born Enrique Morales — named after his father — he dropped the name after tensions reportedly grew between them.