Eminem gained mainstream popularity in 1999 - but some people have no idea how he got his rap name, as social media users share their surprise over its origin story

But despite releasing music for around 30 years, people are only just learning how Eminem got his rap name. One Reddit user asked: "Why did he call himself Eminem? Does anyone know why he called himself that?

The American rapper has been credited with popularising hip hop in Middle America and breaking down racial barriers for white rappers - but some people are only just learning how he got his name