Fans were recently taken aback upon learning Reese Witherspoon’s actual name.

It’s fairly common for celebrities to adopt stage names different from their birth names.

For instance, Bruno Mars was born Peter Gene Hernandez, and Katy Perry’s real name is Katheryn Hudson.

Earlier this year, Emma Stone even mentioned she prefers to be called by her real name, Emily.

This week, social media buzzed with the revelation that Reese Witherspoon, who has been a familiar face since 1991, was born with a different name.

Nicole Kidman, Witherspoon’s co-star in the comedy-drama “Big Little Lies,” also appeared surprised by this revelation. Despite their longstanding friendship, Kidman often forgets Witherspoon’s real name.

In a recent Vanity Fair interview, Kidman shared her irritation with fellow “Big Little Lies” actor Laura Dern’s nickname. She told Witherspoon, “I hate how you call her Dern. It sounds so weird. I’m always like ‘Laura,’ and you’re like ‘No, Dern, Dern,’ and I’m like, ‘Why?’”

Witherspoon interjected to clarify, providing a surprising detail about herself. “‘Cause my name is Laura, and her name’s Laura, and it’s confusing to me,” she explained.

For those rushing to verify, her birth name is indeed Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon.

Kidman, still baffled, noted that Laura Dern “doesn’t even call you Laura, though.” Witherspoon responded with a laugh, “You’re trying to understand something that just makes no sense.”

Social media has been rife with reactions. One user on X wrote, “Reese Witherspoon’s real name is Laura but she looks like a Reese or does she look like a Reese because she told us she was a Reese?”

Another exclaimed, “Just found out Reese Witherspoon’s real first name is actually Laura omg wtf,” while a third commented, “I was today years old when I found out that Reese Witherspoon’s real name is Laura Jeanne.”

A fourth added, “Reese Witherspoon real name is Laura Jeanne and I feel LIED to.”