A familiar name can take on a new identity with just a few extra letters. Some Bollywood celebrities use spellings that differ from those they were previously known by. The reasons vary—from family preferences and professional choices to numerology.
Here are nine reported examples. When a celebrity has spoken publicly about the reason, the explanation is attributed to them. A spelling change alone does not prove that it caused career success.
1. Ayushmann Khurrana
Ayushmann has said that his father changed the spelling of his name when he was a child, adding an extra “n” to his first name and an extra “r” to his surname. His father is an astrologer, and Ayushmann has linked the spelling to his father’s advice.
Read Ayushmann Khurrana’s interview with The Times of India.
2. Rajkummar Rao
Rajkummar Rao was previously credited as Raj Kumar Yadav. He has said that he added the extra “m” in Rajkummar for his mother and chose “Rao” as the surname he preferred.
Read Rajkummar Rao’s interview with The Times of India · Read why he chose the surname Rao.
3. Nushrratt Bharuccha
Nushrratt Bharuccha changed the spelling of her name from Nushrat Bharucha. She has said that she consulted a numerologist before adopting the new spelling.
Read Nushrratt Bharuccha’s explanation in NDTV.
4. Ajay Devgn
Ajay Devgn uses “Devgn” as the professional spelling of his surname. In an interview, he said that he changed the spelling at his mother’s request. Some media reports have also linked the change to numerology.
Read Ajay Devgn’s interview with Open.
5. Karisma Kapoor
Karisma Kapoor is professionally known by the spelling “Karisma.” Her name is sometimes written as “Karishma,” but a specific reason for the spelling should not be assumed without a reliable source.
6. Suniel Shetty
Suniel Shetty is known by the spelling “Suniel,” rather than “Sunil.” The spelling has been included in media roundups about celebrity name changes.
Read The Times of India feature.
7. Tusshar Kapoor
Tusshar Kapoor uses a double “s” in his professional name. In an interview, he said that his name is “Tushaar” and that he changed the spelling for films.
Read Tusshar Kapoor’s Hindustan Times chat.
8. Rani Mukerji
Rani Mukerji uses “Mukerji” as her professional surname spelling. “Mukherjee” is another spelling associated with the surname, but the reason for her professional spelling should not be assumed without a source.
9. Riteish Deshmukh
Riteish Deshmukh uses “Riteish” as the spelling of his first name in professional credits. A specific reason for this spelling has not been included here because it needs a reliable source.
A Name Can Be Personal—and Professional
A name’s spelling can reflect family preference, personal choice, numerology, or a professional identity. The reasons differ from person to person, and a spelling change by itself does not show that it caused career success.
Curious about what numerology says about your name? Try our Numerology Calculator.
Would you ever change the spelling of your name for personal or professional reasons?
