Elton John's Real Name: Reginald Kenneth Dwight

Quick answer: Elton John was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March 25, 1947, in Pinner, Middlesex, England. His full name today is Sir Elton Hercules John. His stage name combined the names of two bandmates in Bluesology. Known for "Your Song," "Rocket Man," and "Candle in the Wind," he became an EGOT winner in 2024 (Britannica; Library of Congress).

Real name and early life

Britannica's quick facts list his "Original name" as Reginald Kenneth Dwight and his name "in full" as Sir Elton Hercules John. The Library of Congress name authority files him as "John, Elton." Its variants include "Dwight, Reginald Kenneth" and "John, Elton Hercules." One citation reads "b. Reginald Kenneth Dwight, Mar. 25, 1947, Pinner, Middx." Another says he "became Elton Hercules John; professionally known as Elton John."

Britannica says he was a piano prodigy who won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music at 11. Drawn to rhythm and blues, he joined Bluesology, which later backed singer John Baldry, in the mid-1960s. "His stage name is a blend of the names of two of Bluesology's members: saxophonist Elton Dean and John Baldry." He met lyricist Bernie Taupin when both answered a trade-magazine ad.

Career highlights

"Lady Samantha" (1968) was his first British success, and his 1970 album Elton John made him an international star with "Your Song." With Taupin he wrote "Crocodile Rock," "Rocket Man," "Philadelphia Freedom," and "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me." By 1973 he was one of the world's best-selling performers, known for his flamboyant costumes.

Britannica says that in the 1990s he became the first male pop star to declare he was gay. With Tim Rice he wrote songs for The Lion King (1994), and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" won the Oscar for best original song. His 1997 "Candle in the Wind" tribute to Princess Diana sold more than 30 million copies. He also scored the stage musicals Aida and Billy Elliot, which won 10 Tonys in 2009.

He won a second Oscar for "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" from Rocketman (2019). His Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour began in 2018, and its Dodger Stadium special won a 2024 Emmy, completing his EGOT. He founded the Elton John AIDS Foundation in 1992, entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, and was knighted in 1998. Who Believes in Angels? (2025) was recorded with Brandi Carlile.

Name notes for searchers

Reginald Kenneth Dwight is his birth name. LOC confirms that he later took the name Elton Hercules John. "Elton" comes from Elton Dean and "John" from John Baldry. Since 1998 he has been Sir Elton John.