In the celebrity world, some people use their real names as stage names, while others choose completely different stage names for various reasons. Idols are no exception! A stage name is not only what fans call them, but also a personal brand, and it often carries an artistic philosophy or a meaningful story behind it.

In preparation for their debut more than 10 years ago, the members of BTS also thought very carefully about choosing a special name they would use throughout their careers. Many of them debated whether to use their real names or create new ones, and it took quite a long time before they settled on the distinctive names everyone knows today.

Jungkook once shared that before debut, he considered several different stage names such as Seagull or Ian. V also spent a long time deciding. Some alternative stage names suggested by the company for him included Lex, Six, and Clever. Although he debuted under the stage name Rap Monster, in 2017 the leader of BTS officially decided to use “RM” as his stage name.

This shows the true importance of stage names. However, within the fandom, besides stage names, fans also often use their real names when referring to the members—this has long become a common habit.

Therefore, between stage names and real names, fans have wondered which one the members prefer to be called by. Eventually, during a Q&A session with Ask Anything Chat, the members honestly shared their thoughts on the matter.

V was the first to respond, saying he liked a combination of his real name with his stage name. Jin then offered several creative suggestions for V, such as “Vhyung”, while Jimin said “Kim V”. Eventually, V decided that “V Taehyung” was the perfect way to express himself.

Next, similar to V, SUGA revealed that he no longer felt a distinction between his stage name and real name. However, he often hears the members calling him SUGA or SUGA-hyung. Interestingly, SUGA pointed out that Jungkook recently changed how he addresses him: “He used to call me SUGA hyung but lately he calls me Yoongi". As his suggestion, j-hope and Jungkook then shouted “Yoongi!” and burst into laughter.

According to Jin, the members rarely call the BTS rapper by his real name, and even his stage name has been modified. Instead, they often call him by nicknames derived from his stage name, such as Hobi and Hobah.

Meanwhile, Jungkook prefers calling j-hope by his real name. He said, “I call him Hoseokie hyung". But right after that, j-hope revealed that Jungkook once used to call him by another adorable nickname: Bbaa!

As seen above, all of the members’ real names, stage names, and nicknames are cherished. The boundaries between these names seem to have blurred, because no matter which name is used, each one is deeply infused with the unique identity and individuality of every member. Above all, they have come together to build a collective tag name, “BTS” — an unbeatable brand in the world of K-pop idols.

Fans also shared similar sentiments with the idols regarding this topic: 

- sometimes i call taehyung "v" without realizing that i called him v and not taeK-pop fashion trends

- Real name but I use their stage name when I teach people

- I’m so used to call them by their names

- Real names but when I talk with non ARMYS I use their stage names

- Real names! but i use their stage names when talking to non-Armys

- Their real names. But when talking to my parents, they recognize their stage names

- real name and a bunch of nicknames for each one of them

- Initially I learnt it by stage names but I no longer use it. I call Joon, Jin is an exception sometimes not Everytime I go with Seokjin. I used V first now I can't, it's always TAE. And I call Yoongi not suga, Hobi and not JHope. Idk I call Kook or Jungkookie.

- Its both for me.. Their real names, theor stage names and their nicknames.. It depends on how the person i'm talking to knows them. Especially when i'm pulling locals into the fandom.

- i normally call them by their stage names because i talk with my mom about them, except for namjoon, i can’t remember the last time i called him RM

- Neither I guess. I call Jungkook, Koo. I call Taehyung, Tae. Namjoon, Joon.. and so on. So if those count as their real names then... their real names!

- I say their real names because of the fanchant. The fanchant helped me learned their names and faces so it kinda stucked to me for the pa̾s̾s years lmao. But I do call them by their stage names and nicknames too

- I usually go by their real names, or nicknames . But if I’m talking to non army I call them by their stages names except Tae for some reason I can’t call him V? Idk I never called him that so it’s weird

- Joonie/namjoon/monie; seokjinnie/jin/ jin hyung ; yoongi /suga ; hobi/hoseok ; jiminshi / jiminie ; teahyungie /tae/tae tae ; jungkook / jungkookie/ cookie/ googie I didn't even know i call then like this till you asked. It's nice to know