Final answer:
Stage names are alternative names that musicians use instead of their real names. They help create unique identities and allow artists to establish their own brand in the music industry.
Step-by-step explanation:
Stage names are commonly used by performers in the music industry. They are alternative names that artists choose to use instead of their real names for various reasons, such as creating a unique identity or maintaining some level of anonymity. Many famous musicians, like Stevie Wonder, Elton John, and Justin Timberlake, have stage names.
For example, Stevie Wonder was born as Stevland Hardaway Morris but adopted the stage name Stevie Wonder to establish his brand and identity as a musician. Elton John was born as Reginald Kenneth Dwight but decided to use the name Elton John as his stage name. Justin Timberlake's real name is Justin Randall Timberlake, but he chose to go by his first and middle name as his stage name.
While stage names allow musicians to create a distinct persona, it's important to note that they often don't reflect their birth names or personal identities.