Liam Gallagher’s Name Isn’t Really Liam…Well Sort Of

There's no denying Liam Gallagher has cemented his name in British music history. His role in Oasis, his reputation for being a bad boy, his fashion, and now his solo comeback, have all added to his legacy which will likely be etched in the UK for decades.

If, for some reason, that name fades, it will always have a place in Manchester where he, and Oasis, was born.

But while that name is known across the world, it's not exactly the one that he was born with. His full name is William John Paul Gallagher, meaning that Liam was derived from the latter part of William.

The reason why he was most likely referred to as Liam instead of William is probably due to his parentage. His mum and dad, Peggy and Thomas, were both Irish, and the name William is often shortened to Liam in that neck of the woods.

It begs the question of whether people can imagine the eccentric, loud-mouthed, talented musician as a 'Will'.

While some diehard fans will have known that small detail, it's clear that it was a surprise to others.

But he's not the only person who has a first name that is slightly different to the one that people know them as.

Katy Perry was born Kathryn Hudson and used that second name in the early part of her career, however changed it to avoid being confused with actor Kate Hudson.

Michael Caine officially changed his name after his agent advised him that Maurice Joseph Micklewhite wouldn't sound slick.

The cockney actor revealed in 2009 that he chose Michael Caine after Humphrey Bogart's character in The Caine Mutiny. He told New York Magazine: "Bogart was my hero, and even though he came from a sort of snobby, aristocratic family - he was a distant relation of Princess Diana - when I was a kid I thought he was a tough guy."

Credit: PA

But if you can't imagine Liam Gallagher as Will, try picturing some of these musicians by their birth names. Elton John was formerly Reginald Kenneth Dwight, Stevie Wonder was born Stevland Hardaway Judkins, Iggy Azalea is a stage name for Amethyst Amelia Kelly and Peter Gene Hernandez changed his name to Bruno Mars to avoid Puerto Rican stereotypes.

There is a science behind people looking like their names and it relies a lot on people's stereotypes of that particular name. They might know a Tom who could have a round face and apply that to everyone they see with similar features.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Oasis, Liam Gallagher, elton john, Katy Perry, Singer

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

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