From Riley back to Emily. Emma Stone's Real Name Saga
Emma Stone, acclaimed for her roles in "La La Land" and "The Favourite," was not always known by the name we recognize her today. Initially given a different name by her parents, she changed it, influenced by her musical idol. She experimented with the name Riley, but it didn't feel right. Now, after over two decades, she wishes to be called by her original name, reminiscent of her childhood.
The surname Stone has been a part of the actress's heritage for a relatively short time, stretching back only three generations. Her paternal grandfather, Conrad Ostberg from Sweden, originally bore the last name Sten. Seeking to assimilate into American culture, he altered it to Stone.
Stone embraced the name Emma in the early stages of her elementary education, during the pinnacle of "Spicemania".
"I was super blonde, and my real name is Emily, but I wanted to be called Emma because of Baby Spice and guess what, now I am," she shared on Jimmy Fallon's talk show.
My name is Riley, Riley Stone
As Emma's career blossomed, she contemplated reverting to her legal name, Emily. Yet, when she attempted to register with the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), she discovered that the name Emily Stone had already been taken.
"I was 16 when I found out at SAG I couldn't have my own name. So to ask a 16-year-old to pick a new name is really an interesting process because I was like, 'I'm going to be Riley. [...] And so my name was Riley Stone for about six months and I did a guest spot on 'Malcolm in the Middle' and one day they were like, 'Riley, Riley, and I had no idea who they were talking to and they were like, 'Hey, hey come on we need you on set.' And I was like, 'Oh I'm not Riley, I can't be Riley" she recounted.
Yearning to be Emily again
Now 35, Emma Stone finds herself longing for the name on her birth certificate.
"That would be so nice. I would like to be Emily," the actress expressed her wish.
