Why does Ice Spice call herself Ice Spice? Rapper's real name and origin of her stage name explored

Ice Spice rose to fame as a TikTok sensation in 2021. Within three years, Spice has made her name in the rap industry. She was born on January 1, 2000, as Isis Naija Gaston. In a conversation on Dripped Shorts, the Barbie World singer revealed that everyone has called her "Ice" all her life.

The Deli singer created a finsta (private Instagram account) when she was 14. She named it Ice Spice and it became her stage and professional name. She liked it a lot since Spice rhymed with Ice. Spice was studying in college when she first collaborated with music producer, RiotUSA. She is currently signed with 10k Projects and Capitol Records.

It is common for artists and musicians to keep stage names different from their own. (Image via Instagram/ @icespice)

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The story behind Ice Spice's stage name

Everything you need to know about the Gen Z star's real name. (Image via Instagram/ @icespice)

Ice Spice was 14 when she created her finsta account. On Dripped Shorts, the rapper explained her stage name and said,

"I was like... what rhymes with ice? spice."

She continued to say that many people think that she took inspiration for the name from girl-band, Spice Girls. She clarified that she didn't and gave the band a shoutout. In 2023, Spice discussed her stage name during Elle's Ask Me Anything segment. She explained,

"I chose Ice Spice because it literally rhymes."

She added,

"Plus I love spicy food too. I put hot sauce on everything."

Spice has become a breakout artist, and her popularity has increased since Munch (Feelin' U)'s release. To honor her real name, she also wore a necklace with the name Isis for her first music video, No Clarity. In an interview with Hip Hop Nation in June 2023, she revealed that Ice Spice and Isis also have different personalities.

She explained that Spice is like her alter-ego and noted,

“When I’m watching myself back on TV and stuff, I feel like I’m watching as Isis and I’m just watching Ice Spice like everybody else.”

Whether it is Isis or Ice Spice, the rapper revealed that she is her biggest supporter. In an interview with Paper Magazine in 2023, she said,

“I would say I am a critic of myself, however the second other people start to critique me, I instantly become my biggest supporter and I'm like, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa, not too much.'"

Apart from her stage name, she is known for her dance moves and unique orange-brown hairstyle. Owing to her popularity, the singer also has a fan base called Spice Cabinet.

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Spice has more than 2.4 Million subscribers on YouTube and 21.2 monthly listeners on Spotify. The 24-year-old has also been supported by and has collaborated with other musicians, such as Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift.

Most recently, the singer released her first studio album, Y2K on July 26th. She also released a new music video for Oh Shhh... featuring Travis Scott.