What was Beyoncé’s birth name before she became internationally famous?

Beyoncé’s birth name is Beyoncé Giselle Knowles.

She was born on September 4, 1981, in Houston, Texas, to Mathew Knowles and Tina Knowles. Her middle name, Giselle, is sometimes omitted in casual references, but it is part of her documented birth name.

She later married rapper and businessman Shawn Carter, known professionally as Jay-Z, and became widely known as Beyoncé Knowles-Carter. Her professional name usually uses only her first name, which is distinctive enough that it has become globally recognizable.

A common mix-up is confusing her birth name with her married name. Knowles is her family surname from birth, while Carter was added after her 2008 marriage. She has also used Beyoncé as her credited stage name throughout her solo recording career.