The 40 Nerdiest Real Names of Famous Musicians

This week's release by 50 Cent, Curtis, is all about acknowledging his roots. And while the name Curtis James Jackson III doesn't exactly exude bravado, it's way cooler than what's written on the birth certificates of these nerds, geeks, and dweebs.

40. Bubba Sparxxx - Warren Anderson Mathis

When you throw three x's into your name, you'd better have something to back that up with. Turns out Warren doesn't.

39. Pat Benatar - Patricia Andrejewski

The first on the list of completely unpronounceable surnames. Can you imagine Patricia Andrejewski being a tight-wearing badass? Didn't think so.

38. The Big Bopper - Jiles Perry Richardson

I know the poor Bopper died in the airplane "the day the music died," but that doesn't mean his parents didn't set him on track to become a butler.

37. Nelly - Carnell Haynes, Jr.

I like what Nelly has done here. He's taken the Carnell and made it "cooler." Carnell? Still not cool, not very cool at all.

36. Barry Manilow - Barry Alan Pincus

Barry's mom changed his name to her maiden name when he was a mere tyke -- good move. "Pincus" must've been the inspiration for Mincus, the nerd from "Boy Meets World."

35. Biz Markie - Marcel Hall

"The Clown Prince of Hip-Hop" wouldn't care if I called him out for his nerdy name, because, well, he kind of is a proud nerd. Damn, this one just isn't as fun as the others...

34. Uncle Murder - Lenny Grant

...like this one. Uncle Murder is a big, scary dude 'bout to bust a cap in your ass. Lenny Grant? He might as well be your goofy uncle (the one who doesn't like to murder people).

33. Bret Michaels - Bret Michael Sychak

Large penises aside, Bret definitely wouldn't have had quite as much fun backstage in Poison's heyday with the "Sychak" stamp. Can't pronounce it? Can't bang it. Well, alright, maybe you can.

32. Elton John - Reginald Kenneth Dwight

I really think he could have made a career of it as Reginald Dwight, because, well, "Elton John" isn't exactly synonymous with being rad either. But, I guess when you're a loud gay man with huge boots, it doesn't really matter what your name is.