What was Beyoncé’s birth name before she married Jay-Z?

Beyoncé’s birth name was 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, although the spelling was changed to Beyoncé.

Beyoncé later became widely known professionally by her first name alone. In 2008, she married rapper Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter and subsequently became Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter. “Beyoncé” is therefore her stage name as well as the name most associated with her public career.

A common mix-up is assuming that Knowles-Carter was her birth name. It is her married surname, while Beyoncé Giselle Knowles is the name listed for her birth and early career. Her younger sister, Solange Knowles, also became a recording artist.