Why did joni mitchell change her name?

Joni Mitchell was born Roberta Joan Anderson and adopted the stage name "Joni Mitchell" for her music career. She chose "Joni" as a more distinctive and memorable name, reflecting her artistic persona. The surname "Mitchell" was derived from her first husband, Chuck Mitchell, and helped her create a more professional identity in the music industry. This change was part of her transformation into a prominent singer-songwriter.