This article was originally published on Lizanest.com

#1: From Caryn Elaine Johnson to Whoopi Goldberg

Before becoming a household name, Whoopi Goldberg was known as Caryn Elaine Johnson. Seeking fame in Hollywood, she abandoned her birth name for a more memorable moniker, embracing her new identity wholeheartedly.

Whoopi’s unique name has an intriguing backstory. The acclaimed actress revealed to Reuters that her diverse family background played a role in choosing her surname. Meanwhile, her first name humorously nods to her being ‘gaseous,’ likening herself to a whoopee cushion.