10 Famous Historical Figures Who Changed Their Name

8. Nelson Mandela

Famously imprisoned on Robben Island for 27 years after continuously speaking out against the South African Apartheid regime, Nelson Mandela was actually born as "Rolihlahla". The future South African President was born on July 18, 1918, in the village of Mvezo in the country's Cape province, and his original first name of "Rolihlahla" meant "troublemaker" in the Xhosa language. Baptised as a Methodist, Mandela was then given the English first name of "Nelson" by his teacher at the age of seven while at school. Mandela later commented:

"No one in my family had ever attended school... On the first day of school my teacher, Miss Mdingane, gave each of us an English name. This was the custom among Africans in those days and was undoubtedly due to the British bias of our education. "That day, Miss Mdingane told me that my new name was Nelson. Why this particular name I have no idea."

Interestingly though, although his new given name was "Nelson", later on in life Mandela became known by his clan name of "Madiba" by the majority of his nation. Madiba was a chief who ruled in the 18th Century, and the use of this clan name was the highest sign of respect and affection that could be imposed upon someone - which is why Mandela came to be known by it.