In the U.S., many dancers choose stage names to use when they teach or perform. But in the U.K., it's more common to use one's real name.

If you use a stage name, why do you do it? If you don't, why not?

I have been dancing since I was 9 and it just never occurred to me to use any other name than my given name...but, I think if I were learning to dance say in my 20's or 30's I might choose a dance name. I can see how a dance name would be meaningful.

When I began Middle Eastern Dancing, I chose a name early in my studies because it helped set the 'mood' of my dance...of my studies...I could 'become' Gia in the dance studio...since dancing is pretty much a full time occupation now, I have phased-out using my 'given' name and use Gia exclusively so there is no confusion...when I am dancing...I AM Gia!

I was 23 years old when I started belly dancing, and back then my teacher encouraged all the students to pick a "dance name". It seemed like a fun thing to do, so I did. If I had it to do over, would I still do it? Maybe, but I'd probably pick a different name. I'd probably go for "Jewel" (a nickname for my real name of Julie), Gawaher (Egyptian dialect of Arabic for "jewel"), Jawahir (Lebanese dialect of Arabic for "jewel"), or Juliana (since my real name is Julie Anne). But then again, there are local dancers in my metropolitan area with the names Jewel, Jawahir, and Juliana, so all three of those would be locally redundant!

Oh well, "Shira" isn't a bad name, and it's what I'm known by now. It's short, easy for other people to spell, easy for other people to guess how it's pronounced, and seems to be reasonably easy for other people to remember. Those are all good things.

--Shira

I use my own name. I have tried other names, but that did not really work for me. But I do have a fake familly name, just for safety reasons.

I picked a "dance" name because so many people know me as a graphic designer and printer, I think they would have a very hard time thinking of me as being able to belly dance. Not that I am ever going to do this professionally or anything, but I do envision doing troupe type performances at charity events, or maybe special occassions for friends once my skill level is up. This give me a seperation betweeen the two very different aspects of my life.

I picked the name FARUKKA (which means "justice") because of my stepdad. He is always giving people silly made up nicknames. (He calls my sister's friend LIPSKI because she talks all the time..stuff like that.) He started calling me "Queen Farook" (which he made up) because I bossed around my little brother and sister alot. So when I found FARUKKA in a list of arabic names, I thought I would pay him little tribute.

I had also given SAMINA some serious thought. It means ample, fertile, plump...all which could easily describe me! But it was already being used a lot. I am glad I picked Farukka...makes me feel like a belly dancer with a super-hero complex...LOLOLOL.

When I first started dancing my teacher encouraged me to pick a stage name. So, I dutifully thumbed through the "Names for dancers and other graceful souls"(or something like that) and I went to baby naming sites and looked at international names. I finally settled for Ahnala because it means fiery and at the time I admired a friend's fiery, passionate dance style and sought to emulate her.

I think I only used the name once or twice at performances where I felt I HAD to give a stage name. I never really connected with that name. For one thing, it just felt like a lie to use a psuedonym. Also my style has evolved into something more soft and fluid than fiery.

I may start performing under the name Zaina since it is so close to my real name.

I don't perform yet, but when I do, I think I'll stick to my real name which is TAMARA. Pronounce tah-mah-rah, not tam-rah which is how all Americans butcher my name. Sounds exotic enough right? What do you guys think? I really love my name.
LUV,
TUTULI

Tutuli/Tamarah - if you enjoy the sound of the name Tamara AND you find that it captures your personality as a dancer, then OF COURSE you should use it!

I don't see a need for people to invent Arabic or Turkish names for themselves. If it feels "comfortable" to take on an Arabic name, then it's fine to do it, but many people feel like their dance names are weird or alien to them. If it feels "wrong", then why bother?

If I ever went Proffessional I would use a stage name, but for now, most people know me in town (where I work, live - small town), and would be silly to go by another name.
For now we are just introduced by our troupe name, then introduced individually after by our real names.

I would tell anyone going pro to use nothing but a stage name (there are a lot of weirdo's out there... you don't want them to be tracking you down and calling or visiting without notice).

Using a troupe/stage name with a card giving a e-mail is good for future bookings. Anyone with a compter and your real name can track down your home address and phone number. You don't want harrassing calls!

I picked a dance name recently because someone took a picture of our troupe and asked for everyones name...it was Salwa, Kina(although kina was her real name), Maroona....then "Ashley"...I was like ohhh that sounds weird lol. I was in between picking farhanna(glad/joyful) or Nadirah(rare/precious). I picked Nadirah because it's pretty and easier for people to say I think. I haven't used it though, I think when I go to college next year and (hopefully)start teaching my own classes, I will use my name more....people know me as ashley already here...kind of strange to change it. =op

~*~Ash/Nadirah~*~

When you get to our choreography class (level 5 - min 4 years of lessons)... we hold a naming ceremony for the new members. No one in the school has "names" except for us, and the instructors and that's 'cause they are all professionals. It's alot of fun to do it as a group, and it's "who we are" when we perform as a troupe.

If you can't decide on a name - you bring in a list and everyone votes or makes suggestions till it fits. I personally *LOVE* my name.

About 10 yrs ago, my brother started using his initials for work (KC) since no one could pronounce his galic name. I picked "Caasi" so we could both have almost the same alter ego! It also means "one beloved by men" which I find very inspiring to live up to while dancing.

I got my "stage name" years before I even thought of belly dancing. It was totally by accident, and because my stepdad is a complete smartass. When he began dating my mom, he started calling me "Queen Fahrruk" because of the way I bossed around my brother and sister. (Since mom worked all the time, I was left in charge whether I wanted to be or not!)

It was a totally made up joke name, but imagine my surprise when I looked at a list of belly dancer names and found FARUKKA on it! According to that list, "Farukka" means "Justice" which is exactly what I handed out to my brother and sister all those years ago (whether THEY wanted it or not!)

I'm confused. I don't understand why you guys think it nessesary to use a fake name. Are you ashamed to use your real name or something?

It's not a matter of shame, I don't think. I'm very proud of my name, and wouldn't want to be known by anything else in everyday life. But if I ever start performing, I intend to take a stage name for two reasons:

1. Safety. I think most of the above dancers have covered it, but there are some strange folks out there who you don't want tracking your number and address down.

2. Those of us with fairly "mundane" names, like mine (Sarah) might feel more comfortable using more "exotic" names to help separate ourselves from our home/office/school selves. To me, Sarah is a ballet dancer, a figure skater, and a student. Not a belly dancer.

Just my take on it.

Although I don't actively belly dance any more, I ALWAYS used only my stage name. It was unique and a registered name with the Attorney General's office in the state where I lived, so that I could gently remind any dancer's name copy-cats.

I think stage names give a dancer a special allure and are useful for privacy reasons.

I don't have many actual performances (as of yet) but I have thought about taking a "dance name." I think, for me, it would help me get into a sort of character so I can lose myself (even more) in the dance. But I've never done anything close to professional so maybe this is kind of an amateur approach to the whole naming thing.