Miley Cyrus Legally Changed Her Birth Name

Wed, 30 January 2008 03:02:58 ET

Miley Cyrus Legally Changed Her Birth Name
"Hannah Montana" star Miley Cyrus now can have her moniker used in every legal paper as she has officially changed her name to Miley Ray Cyrus.

The teen sensation initially was given a birth name of Destiny Hope Cyrus, but she has always been called Miley by family and friends so that she wanted the nickname to be her legal name instead.

While "Miley" has been addressed to her for always smiling while growing up, the 15-year-old's new middle name, Ray, is chosen in honor of her father Billy Ray Cyrus.

In recent news about Cyrus, the young actress/singer was reported to exit the stage during her concert in New Orleans, Louisiana Saturday (Jan. 28) after telling crowds she was feeling ill. The star stayed backstage for five minutes before returning to face the audience and finish her set.