When did Elton John change his name?

Elton John, born Reginald Kenneth Dwight, legally changed his name in 1972 when he adopted the stage name "Elton John." The name change coincided with his rising fame and the release of his self-titled album, which helped to establish his identity as a prominent musician. The name "Elton" was inspired by the bandleader Elton Dean, and "John" was taken from the singer Long John Baldry.