Sting celebrates his birthday today (October 2), and it goes without saying that he has one of the best stage names in music history.

In fact, the rock world is littered with stage names! In honor of Sting’s birthday, here’s a look at some of our favorite stage names and a few fun facts about them.

• Sting

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  Gordon Sumner took on the monosyllabic stage name of Sting after wearing a black and yellow striped sweater when he was playing with the Phoenix Jazzmen.

• Slash

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  Born Saul Hudson, Slash got his stage name from actor Seymour Cassel, a friend of his father's, who noticed how speedily the young Hudson would go from one place to another.

• Bob Dylan

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  Born Robert Zimmerman, the iconic singer-songwriter dubbed himself Bob Dylan in a nod to poet Dylan Thomas.
• U2’s Bono and The Edge

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  Paul Hewson took the name "Bono" after a hearing aid shop in his neighborhood called Bonovox. The Edge, born Dave Evans, got his name due to his sharp facial features and mind.

• Iggy Pop and David Bowie

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  James Osterberg became Iggy Pop as a nod to his pre-Stooges band, the Iguanas. David Bowie, who was born David Jones, was originally going by Davy Jones, but thanks to The Monkees, he adopted the surname of Bowie after pioneer James Bowie, who was known for his Bowie knife.

• Meatloaf

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  Marvin Lee Aday got the nickname "Meat Loaf" from his high school football coach because of his size. Seems almost cruel, but we're pretty sure Meat Loaf had the last laugh.
• Flea

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  Born Michael Balzary, the Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist reportedly got his stage name from Anthony Kiedis who took note of his friend’s energetic movement and behavior. Thus, a great stage name was born!

• Gene Simmons

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  Each original member of KISS took on a stage name, but the biggest change came with "The Demon" who was born Chaim Witz but became Gene Simmons.

• Nikki Sixx

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  The roots of Frank Carlton Serafino Feranna, Jr.’s stage name stem from wanting to cut any ties he had from a father who had abandoned him at an early age.  Wanting to reinvent himself, Nikki Sixx was born and would later become the Motley Crue bassist’s legal name.

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