What is Beyoncé’s full birth name, before she became known professionally by one name?

Beyoncé’s full birth name is Beyoncé Giselle Knowles.

She was born on September 4, 1981, in Houston, Texas, to Mathew Knowles and Tina Knowles. Her first name was inspired by her mother’s maiden name, Beyincé, though the spelling was changed to Beyoncé. The unusual name became one of the most recognizable names in popular music.

Beyoncé initially performed under her full name while rising to fame with Destiny’s Child. After beginning her solo career, she increasingly used Beyoncé as her professional name. She later became Beyoncé Knowles-Carter after marrying rapper Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, but that married surname is not part of the birth name commonly cited in biographies.

A common mix-up is treating Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as her original name. Knowles-Carter is a later family name; the name recorded at birth was Beyoncé Giselle Knowles.