25 celebrities whose real names will surprise you

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 28: Recording artist Bruno Mars, winner of the Record of the Year award for ’24K Magic,’ Album Of The Year award for ’24K Magic,’ Song of the Year award for ‘That’s What I Like,’ Best R&B Performance award for ‘That’s What I Like,’ and Best R&B Album album for ’24K Magic,’ poses in the press room during the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Madison Square Garden on January 28, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for NARAS)

Bruno Mars (Peter Gene Hernandez)

I’m sorry to break it to you all, but Bruno Mars is not actually named Bruno Mars. Don’t believe me? Just watch. (Sorry, I had to!)

The “24K Magic” singer was born Peter Gene Hernandez. Obviously, that nickname didn’t have enough flair for the performer. The nickname “Bruno” was given to him by his father when he was younger; apparently, he looked like a wrestler named Bruno Sammartino.

Bruno Hernandez still wasn’t flashy enough for him, so he gave himself a new surname, too. “The Mars came up just because I felt like I didn’t have no pizzazz,” he said in an interview “And a lot of girls say I’m out of this world. So I was like I guess I’m from Mars.”

It seems to be working for him, considering his pile of Grammys — he won six for the awards show in 2018, bringing his total up to 10. That’s a lot of gold hardware to go along with his “Finesse,” and they both suit him!