Fans shocked after learning Reese Witherspoon's real name as she reveals Nicole Kidman 'forgets it'

Celebrities going by pseudonyms - or variations of their birth moniker's - as opposed to their legal titles, isn't really a surprise in today's society.

I mean, surely we all know by now that Rihanna's real name is Robyn Fenty (after which her globally-renowned skincare brand was named).

And Lady Gaga obviously wasn't born with that stage name, and was in fact given the legal name Stefani Germanotta.

This week, however, fans have been left utterly mind-blown to discover that on-screen veteran Reese Witherspoon was actually born with a different name.

That's right, the Legally Blonde star - who has been a silver-screen favourite since all the way back in 1991 - has seemingly been lying to us the entire time.

Well, I mean. Maybe it's not that big a deal, but it's definitely come as a surprise to many movie buffs, who've known her as Reese for decades.

Among those who can't seem to process the shocking news is fellow actor Nicole Kidman, star of part-time producer Reese's critically-acclaimed comedy-drama Big Little Lies.

Despite having been gal pals for years, Moulin Rouge star Nicole revealed that she often forgets that a different moniker actually lies on Reese's birth certificate.

Appearing side-by-side together in a Vanity Fair interview this week, 56-year-old Nicole began the discussion by opening up about her dislike of fellow BLL actor Laura Dern's nickname.

"I hate how you call her Dern," she told Reese. "It sounds so weird. I'm always like 'Laura,' and you're like 'No, Dern, Dern,' and I'm like, 'Why?'"

Nicole Kidman claimed she often 'forgets' Reese Witherspoon's real name. (Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for AFI)

Interrupting the rant to explain the nickname, Sweet Home Alabama star Reese replied: "'Cause my name is Laura, and her name's Laura, and it's confusing to me."

And it turns out, it's true! 'Reese' was actually born Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon.

Admitting she 'forgot' her pal's real name, Nicole continued to express her confusion, adding that Laura Dern 'doesn't even call you Laura, though'.

"You're trying to understand something that just makes no sense," Reese joked back.

When it comes to why Reese has gone by a different name entirely throughout the duration of her time in the spotlight, that fact still seems to remain a mystery.

But by the sounds of things, fans who have recently caught wind of the news simply can't believe their ears.

Reese actually shares the same name as co-star Laura Dern. (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)

"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?" one penned on social media.

Another went on: "Reese Witherspoon real name is Laura Jeanne and I feel LIED to."

"I just found out that 'Reese Witherspoon' is her whole last name. 'Reese' is her mother's maiden name and 'Witherspoon' is her father's last name, her first name is actually Laura," a third added.