A perofrmers names is as important as their talent.  Where possible it is best to start out with the name you will utilise for the rest of your career.  This may be your real name or a stage name and with the exception of a few artists it should never change, always be used, and presented exactly as you want the public to know you - not a variant that changes every couple of months.

Reasearch your name in the industry, if it is not unique you may have to change it.  David Walliams is a good example of a clever twist to his real name.  If you are unable to use your real name try to  think of something that you like, fits your personality and will be remembered.

A performer will often have to use a stage name because their real name is considered unattractive, dull, unintentionally amusing, difficult to say/ spell, or because it is used by another notable individual or because it projects an undesired image.

Sometimes a performer may use a name that is unusual or outlandish to attract attention. Other performers elect to use a stage name in order to retain anonymity and privacy.  You can find out more about Stage Names on Wikipedia.

You might be surprised to know that in the commercial world it can take companies many years and huge sums of money to get a brand name recognised, something that comes to mind ahead of any other competing product or products, which people will purchase becuase of the trust in the name.   This should be your objective too, the first name that pops in to the casting directors mind when a new production is being cast.  Whenever anyone sees you perform you want them to remember you by name as well as for the skill and talent you show when performing, if you are in an audition your name is the one you want to stick and above all get selected.

Some examples  names that many pepole the world over will know but not necessarly always be fans of  (simply because we all have different likes and dislikes) are; Madona (fantastic performer and great talent, but not everyones favourite),  Stephen Fry (a genius and very clever talent, but for some too intellectual).  We could write pages and pages on this subject alone but we hope you get the point.

So when you think of your name up in lights or in any hall of fame would you imagine it being written as Binky Tornado - Pro Actor?  No, it would simply be Binky Tornado.  With this in mind when you think about how your name appears in; credits,  autographs, magazines and any other format make sure it is consistent.

When you create your profile on frootful Talent, Spotlight, IMdB, Star Now, in The Stage or any other medium make sure you keep it consistent - simply enter your real or chosen stage name, nothing more and nothing less.

Treat your name as something important and special. It identfies you as unique to anyone else in the industry, and it is the key thing next to your talent that will have casting agents, directors or anyone else in the business thinking of you first. There is evidence that the right name can increase call backs, so if you want to work on a regular basis you might put more stock into the way you present yourself in future and above all how you see that name being presented.

If  you are not 100% sure that your given name can be used you should check with Equity, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), and other industry professional bodies first.  You can also check using any popular search engine too.

There are plenty of random name generators that can be used if you really can't make up your mind. Simply enter "stage name generator" or "screen name generator" or a variant for your specific talent  in any of the top search engines to find sites that will create a name for you.