That all depends on what your stage character is.
But trust me there is nothing better than being with your own name.
I present myself as Mikk Pärg, Americans pronounce it "Mike/Mikk(they get it right sometimes) Pjarg"
Anyways, try to leave your name as it is, if its special eg. sounds funny than keep it and protect it. If your name is different than others you will be remember better than eg. Mike, Stan orsmth. There are alot of those in the world.
But its a free choice for everyone,
cheers
Mikk
I disagree. I don't think it's always good to keep your own name. I believe that it is important to be yourself onstage, I don't think that necessarily translates to using your own name.
I can list you four famous magicians who use a Pseudonym.
1) Harry Houdini
2) Max Mavin
3) Harry Blackstone Sr.
4) Chung Ling Soo
Of course some stage names are derived out of necessity for character; such as mine. Frankly my real name wouldn't fit as well with the dark persona I portray on stage. I think that you really need to consider all the options before you decide to use a stage name. If you do happen to think that a stage name would be good for you, then make sure it's a name that fits your act and persona.
Also, I should be careful to point out that if you do create a name and or character it is important to sacrifice yourself to it. By that I mean you need to live up to that name/image the best you can.
Example: Max Mavin. Max isn't his real first name. Mavin isn't his last for that matter. His name by birth was Phil Goldsteine. However if you ever meet him, he introduces himself as Max. He's become that character.
It's like the twin characters from the movie
"The Prestige." They had to sacrifice a lot to keep up the image of their character.
Also, by performing under a pseudonym you gain the ability to easily describe your act to potential interested bookers without real fear of sounding self absorbed or like you're tooting your own horn. For some reason it's just a natural inhibition to talk about ones own self, but discussing a characters act is almost like discussing a third party all together thusly defeating the inhibition.