Country Stars’ Real Names Revealed: Dierks Bentley, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw & More

Ever wondered how country music artists seem to have the perfect name, that’s catchy and fits their branding so well? Well, that is no accident. In fact, many artists, including those in the country music industry, decide go by a stage name instead of their real name for this very reason.

It’s not uncommon for stars to go by their middle name rather than their their first. Dierks Bentley is an example of an artist who didn’t choose a completely different stage name, he just followed in his family’s footsteps and has always gone by his middle name, Dierks.

“Frederick. It’s Frederick Dierks Bentley, but my whole family goes by their middle name—my sister, my brother,” Dierks told Glamour magazine. “So from day one, I’ve always been called Dierks. My mom was really upset when I named my son properly. I told her that his first name was actually going to be his first name! That’s how normal people do it, so I don’t know why she did it that way! People wonder if Dierks is a stage name.”

Country Now has compiled a list of country music artists who go by a slightly different name than their real one. Some of these may come as a surprise, while others aren’t too far off from what they were called from birth. Check out this list to see how well you know your favorite artists. 

Stage Name: Cole Swindell

Real Name: Colden Rainey Swindell

Stage Name: Carly Pearce

Real Name: Carly Cristyne Slusser

Stage Name: Luke Bryan

Real Name: Thomas Luther Bryan

Stage Name: Faith Hill

Real Name: Audrey Faith Perry

Stage Name: Tim McGraw

Real Name: Samuel Timothy Smith

Stage Name: Hank Williams Jr. 

Real Name: Hiram King Williams

Stage Name: Garth Brooks

Real Name: Troyal Garth Brooks

Stage Name: Jason Aldean

Real Name: Jason Aldine Williams

Stage Name: Shania Twain

Real Name: Eileen Regina Edwards

Stage Name: Patsy Cline

Real Name: Virginia Patterson Hensley

Stage Name: Dierks Bentley 

Real Name: Frederick Dierks Bentley

Stage Name: Toby Keith

Real Name: Toby Keith Covel

Stage Name: Randy Houser

Real Name: Shawn Randolph Houser

Stage Name: Kid Rock

Real Name: Robert James Richie

Stage Name: RaeLynn

Real Name: Racheal Lynn Woodward

Stage Name: Randy Travis

Real Name: Randy Bruce Traywick

Stage Name: Wynonna Judd

Real Name: Christina Claire Ciminella

Stage Name: Gary LeVox

Real Name: Gary Wayne Vernon, Jr.

Stage Name: Eric Church

Real Name: Kenneth Eric Church

Stage Name: Trace Adkins

Real Name: Tracy Darrell Adkins

Stage Name: Craig Morgan

Real Name: Craig Morgan Greer

Stage Name: Michael Ray

Real Name: Michael Ray Roach

Stage Name: Colt Ford

Real Name: Jason Farris Brown

Stage Name: Jake Owen

Real Name: Joshua Ryan Owen

Stage Name: Lauren Alaina

Real Name: Lauren Alaina Suddeth 

Stage Name: Thomas Rhett

Real Name: Thomas Rhett Akins Jr. 

Other names that might surprise fans include Gary Allan / Gary Allan Herzberg, Terri Clark / Terri Lynn Sauson, Kix Brooks / Leon Eric Brooks III, Clay Walker / Ernest Clay Walker, Jr., LeAnn Rimes / Margaret LeAnn Rimes and Conway Twitty / Harold Lloyd Jenkins.