- Marilyn Monroe: Marilyn Monroe was a famous American actress, model, and singer. She was a cultural icon and a sex symbol of the 1950s and early 1960s.
- Charles Manson: Charles Manson was an American cult leader and musician who led the Manson Family, a group that committed a series of murders in the late 1960s.
Marilyn Manson chose his stage name as a combination of these two names. He has said that he was inspired by Marilyn Monroe's beauty and sexuality, and by Charles Manson's charisma and darkness. He has also said that he wanted to create a name that would be both beautiful and terrifying, and that would reflect his own dual nature.
Manson's stage name has been controversial, but it has also been very effective. It has helped him to create a unique and memorable persona, and it has made him one of the most recognizable figures in rock music.