What is Queen Latifah’s birth name?

Queen Latifah’s birth name is Dana Owens.

She was born Dana Elaine Owens on March 18, 1970, in Newark, New Jersey. She adopted the stage name Queen Latifah before beginning her recording career, taking “Latifah” from an Arabic word commonly translated as delicate, kind, or pleasant. The title “Queen” reflected the confidence and self-respect central to her public identity.

Queen Latifah became widely known in hip hop after releasing her debut album, All Hail the Queen, in 1989. The album included “Ladies First,” a landmark feminist rap song recorded with British singer Monie Love. Her music addressed women’s empowerment, social issues, and community life rather than relying only on battle-oriented lyrics.

Many people know her equally well as an actor and television host. She starred in films including Chicago and appeared as Khadijah James on Living Single. Her professional name is therefore not a separate legal identity in the question’s sense; Dana Owens is the name recorded at birth.