Entertainment Music Full Names of R&B and Soul Singers Hidden Last Names: From Aaliyah to Usher Share PINTEREST Email Print Beyonce. Kevin Winter/MTV1415/Getty Images Music Pop Music Basics Reviews Top Picks Top Artists 80s Hits 90s Hits Rock Music Alternative Music Classical Music Country Music Folk Music Rap & Hip Hop Rhythm & Blues World Music Punk Music Heavy Metal Jazz Latin Music Oldies Learn More By Mark Edward Nero Mark Edward Nero Mark Edward Nero is an expert on the soul, gospel, and rhythm and blues music genres who interviewed dozens of artists and appeared in documentaries. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on 01/27/19 Have you ever noticed how many R&B singers go by just one name? Sure, singers in other music genres (like Madonna, Sting, Cher, Shakira, Pink, Beck, Slash, Kesha, and Bono of U2) may have caught on to the idea of using mononyms first, but in no other form of music is the practice as widespread as in contemporary R&B. Some singers are so known by just one name that their last name has been forgotten or become irrelevant. For example, a number of people still remember that Beyonce's last name is Knowles and that Fantasia's is Barrino, but how many folks still know -- or ever knew -- what Aaliyah's surname was? Or what Ciara's is? If you don't and are curious, check out this list of the full names of mononymous R&B singers. Full Names of R&B and Soul Singers Aaliyah - Aaliyah Haughton Adele - Adele Atkins Ameriie (formerly Amerie, with one 'i') - Amerie Rogers Ashanti - Ashanti Douglas Beyonce - Beyonce Knowles Bilal - Bilal Oliver Brandy - Brandy Norwood. She's the daughter of gospel singer Willie Norwood and the sister of R&B singer Ray J. Cassie - Casandra Ventura Cherrelle - Cheryl Norton ('80s R&B singer best known for "Saturday Love") Ciara - Ciara Princess Harris. Her middle name is how she got the nickname "the princess of R&B." Coko (of SWV) - Cheryl Elizabeth Clemons Dwele - Andwele Gardner Estelle - Estelle Swaray (British R&B/hip-hop singer) Fantasia - Fantasia Barrino Fergie (of Black Eyed Peas) - Stacy Ferguson Goapele - Goapele Mohlabane. In the southern Africa language of Tswana, her name means to move forward. Jaheim - Jaheim Hoagland Jeremih - Jeremih Felton Joe - Joe Thomas Kandi - Kandi Burruss (star of The Real Housewives of Atlanta and formerly of the girl group Xscape) Kelis - Kelis Rogers Kem - Kem Owens Mario - Mario Barrett Mashonda - Mashonda Tifrere (Former cast member of Love and Hip-Hop. Previously married to Swizz Beatz who is now the husband of Alicia Keys.) Maxwell - Gerald Maxwell Rivera Monica - Monica Arnold Monifa - Monifa Carter (Former cast member of R&B Divas: Atlanta) Mya - Mya Harrison Olivia - Olivia Longott (Former cast member of Love and Hip-Hop, and former artist on 50 Cent's G-Unit Records label. Omarion - Omari Grandberry Prince - Prince Rogers Nelson. He was named after jazz pianist Prince Rogers of the Prince Rogers Trio. Rihanna - Robyn Rihanna Fenty Sade - Helen Folasade Adu Sammie - Sammie Bush (Top ten R&B hit "I Like It" in 1999) Seal - Seal Henry Samuel Shanice - Shanice Wilson (1993 Grammy nominee for "I Love Your Smile" and star of Flex and Shanice reality show on OWN) Shareefa - Shareefa Cooper (Top ten hit "Need a Boss" featuring Ludacris in 2006) Solange - Solange Knowles Tamia - Tamia Washington Tyrese - Tyrese Gibson Usher - Usher Raymond IV