Farasha Hanem

Although I'm still just a newbie dancer, I have a stage name to protect my private life.

My bellydance sisters and brothers on this forum were the ones who helped me find my dance name, "Farasha Hanem," taken for the Arabic words for "butterfly" (Farasha), and "lady" (Hanem). Everyone here was so helpful, and I'm sure if you ask, they would be more than happy to help you, as they helped me. I'm very, very proud of my dance name, because every time I think of it, I think of all my friends here who were kind enough to help me out. Plus, I feel an even closer tie with them, because in a way, they helped "birth" another bellydancer (they gave me a name!)!

Think of how you would like your name to describe you as a dancer, and consider also your personality. Are you daring and adventerous, or are you shy and demure? Gentle and graceful, or fiery and passionate? If you think of how you would like your name to describe you, it can give you a platform on which to come up with descriptive words that will make a dance name to fit you and your uniqueness. Of course, as it's been mentioned, you don't have to have a stage name; that's a matter of personal choice, but if you value your privacy, don't use your full real name.

adiemus

I've adopted my dance name because it's part of this 'character' that I put on as I dance, and it reflects a part of me that often doesn't get a chance to show in my professional life (it's seen as simply not OK to wear sequins to work when you're doing pain management - I can't see why, but there it is!!). What I like about the process of finding a name is the opportunity to work out why a certain name appeals and another doesn't - and what part of your character and personality you want to allow out to play!!

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He wahine, he taonga- Every woman is a treasure(Maori proverb)

gisela

I have tried to find a name, and got some great help, advice and suggestions here, although no name has stuck to me yet. It might be because of my issues with my real name which is very rare at least in my country. I hated it for 25 years and then I came to terms with it and now it feels weird to have another one after that looong process. In Denmark I think it's maybe like 30%/70%, meaning 30% has a stage name, 70% use their birth name.

ETA: I mean, among bellydancers of course. Not among the population in general

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You need chaos in your soul to create a dancing star-nietzsche

Jahzaal

As I mentioned before, it took me about two years to come up with Jahzaal. My teacher mentioned that I would need a dance name. She did not pressure me to choose one. I began my search. The names that I liked had meanings that didn't fit me. ie: baby goat, the evil child.... I then took another approach. I started reading the meanings of the names first, then I read the name if I liked the meaning. This one site was so awesome it gave you very detailed meanings of names. I ended up choosing the meaning that describes who I am as a person. Now, I had to change the spelling around a few times. My dance name was being pronounced wrong. Now everyone tends to spell my name wrong, but they do pronounce it right. I don't mind at all. If I can find the site again, I will be more than happy to direct you to it. Good luck finding a name. I know that you will choose one that fits you. Don't get frustrated in the process.

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www.thendc.net

Viv

I'll chime in and tell you a stage name isn't required, but if you want one start looking. Try names on. Think about a particualr name you like when your practicing or in class. does it seem to "fit" how you feel about yourself and your dancing? Ask your dacne friends and/or teacher what name they think fits you.
There are distinct advantages to having a stage name if you want to peform professionaly. It can give you a bit of privacy as well as a definate seperation between the glamorus dancer persona and the day to day gal you are.
And because I love that my dance name came from a class joke....We were practicing veil and as usual I was the one with a solid black viel in all these other bright colorful ones. The teacher said something about us looking like a field of butterflies and I joked except for the black raven. well the name stuck and I've been dancing as Raven ever since.

chryssanthi sahar

I use my real name (Chryssanthi) and an Arabian stage name (Sahar), which was given to me by Arabian fans. It is a longer story how the name Sahar was given to me, that's why I'm not going to mention it today. In Greece it is anyway common for most belly dancers to use their real name and an Arabian stage name (like Maria Aya here in the forum. Maria is her real name, Aya is her Arabian name. Or Stella Zahir: Stella real name, Zahir Arabian name).
The funny thing with my Arabian name though is, that many people here in Germany think, this is my Family name So when I get emails or letters, many people write: "Dear Mrs. Sahar".

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Oriental dancer and instructor of Greek origin, living in Germany
www.chryssanthi.com

Shamsa

my stage name is Shamsa Fahred. Shamsa means "light of the sun" in arabic and Fahred is just the last name of my boyfriend, and i thought it sounded nice together!

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a belly dancer is a queen, and queens never go on the floor.

Makeda Maysa

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The Niraja Dance Company www.thendc.net

Aisha Azar

Dear Makeda,
I have met you and you live up to your name very well in that you are not only physically beautiful, but have a beautiful, warm personality as well. ( I know this sounds really gushy, but it is true!!). There is another Arabic name that means the same thing as Maysa and that is Mayadeh... same root, I think.
Regards,
A'isha

Makeda Maysa

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The Niraja Dance Company www.thendc.net