What was Beyoncé’s birth name before she became widely known by her first name?

Beyoncé’s birth name was Beyoncé Giselle Knowles.

She was born to Mathew Knowles and Tina Knowles in Houston, Texas. The unusual first name came from her mother’s family: Tina Knowles was born Celestine Ann Beyoncé, and the name was preserved for her daughter. Beyoncé later became the singer’s professional name, while her married name became Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter after her marriage to rapper Jay-Z.

A common mix-up is treating “Beyoncé” as a stage name unrelated to her legal identity. It is actually her given first name. Her surname also changed in public usage over time, but “Beyoncé Giselle Knowles” identifies her name at birth.

The name’s distinctive spelling and accent have remained central to her branding. It is pronounced with emphasis on the final syllable, and the acute accent is normally included in formal writing.