Mia Khalifa leaves fans feeling 'stupid' after they realise Mia isn't her real name

She may be one of the most recognisable adult film stars in the world, but just how well do you know Mia Khalifa?

Despite only actively working as a porn performer for three months back in 2014, Khalifa had a bigger impact on the x-rated industry than some actors will have after decades in the game.

The 32-year-old made international headlines after starring in a highly controversial pornographic video - which featured her wearing a hijab while performing explicit acts - leading to her being publicly disowned by her parents, receiving a death threat from ISIS and being allegedly 'blacklisted' from visiting the Middle East.

Despite retiring from the adult industry over a decade ago, Khalifa's name has remained popular on adult sites and the video still impacts her life to this very day.

What is Mia Khalifa's real name?

Mia Khalifa became infamous after appearing in a controversial porn video (Edward Berthelot/GC Images)

The name 'Mia Khalifa' may be known by anyone who has an internet connection these days but prior to 2014, the Lebanese born star was known by a completely different name.

Khalifa's actual legal name is Sarah Joe Chamoun, with the OnlyFans creator previously including it in a former Instagram bio.

The revelation left people divided, with some genuinely shocked that Mia Khalifa wasn't her real name, while others were quick to point out the fact that it was obviously a stage name.

"How stupid do you feel believing her real name was Mia Khalifa," penned one person, while a second added: "I honestly didn’t even know that wasn’t her real name until I looked it up just now."

"If 'Mia Khalifa' isn’t her real name I ain’t trusting nothin'," joked a third.

Where does the name 'Mia Khalifa' come from?

Khalifa isn't the only former adult film star to use a stage name, with performers such as Riley Reid and Lana Rhoades also deciding against using their real names while in the industry.

The former adult actress has since built a career away from pornography (Alessandro Levati/Getty Images for Dsquared2)

So where does the moniker 'Mia Khalifa' come from?

According to the content creator 'Mia' was the name of a dog she had and 'Khalifa' - which is an Arabic word roughly translating to 'successor, ruler, or leader' - was inspired by the rapper Wiz Khalifa.

What does Mia Khalifa do now?

Since quitting the adult industry, Khalifa now works as a social media content creator and OnlyFans model.

She has also launched her own jewellery and swimwear line called 'Sheytan' which is an Arabic meaning 'devil' or 'evil spirit'.

Khalifa has also reflected more critically on her brief tenure in the pornographic industry, saying she was far too young to be working in the adult industry.

"You don't even know yourself that young. You should not make life changing decisions when you're that young," she said in an episode of the The Louis Theroux Podcast.