Bruno Mars
The rationale behind Bruno Mars’s name alteration is surprisingly straightforward, yet it stirred some attention as he rose to fame. Originally named Peter Gene Hernandez, the skilled singer-songwriter earned the moniker Bruno from his father, who likened him to Bruno Sammartino, a robust wrestler, owing to Mars’s chubby baby days.
His intriguing last name originated from his desire to avoid being pigeonholed into a specific musical genre tied to his heritage. He aimed to steer clear of exclusive associations with Latin or Spanish music, opting instead for a name that felt “bigger than life.” However, this choice wasn’t well-received, as one might imagine.