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A pseudonym is a false or fictitious name, especially one used by an author.

When an author uses a pseudonym, it can also be called a pen name or a nom de plume.

There are many reasons an author may choose to use a pseudonym instead of their own name, such as to avoid controversy or to create a persona. Many women authors throughout history have used a male or gender-neutral pseudonym to get their work published due to bias against women writers. A famous example is Mary Ann Evans, who used the pseudonym George Eliot.

The word pseudonym can refer to a fake or false name used by anyone, not just writers. It’s typically used so a person can remain anonymous. In legal proceedings, the pseudonyms John Doe, Jane Doe, Richard Roe, and Jane Roe are used in​ when a person’s name is being kept anonymous. Such names can also be called anonyms.

Example: A lot of people use pseudonyms when posting controversial opinions online.

The first records of the word pseudonym come from the 1800s. It comes from the Greek �����ܻ�ṓn�⳾�Dz�, meaning “false name.” The prefix pseudo- means “false,” and -onym means “name” (it can also mean “word,” and is used in words like synonym and acronym). The adjective pseudonymous is recorded earlier, in the early 1700s.

The pseudonyms of actors and entertainers are often called stage names (Cary Grant’s real name was Archibald Leach; Lady Gaga’s real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta). For writers, they’re often called pen names or noms de plume. Some famous ones are George Orwell (real name Eric Arthur Blair), Lewis Carroll (real name Charles Lutwidge Dodgson), and Evelyn Waugh (real name Arthur St. John).

Authors use pseudonyms for many reasons. Sometimes, a famous author uses a pseudonym to publish a work in a genre that’s different from the one they’re known for, like when Agatha Christie published non-mystery novels as Mary Westmacott. Or just to write more books, like Stephen King did with the pseudonym Richard Bachman.

Sometimes, the fake name is intended to create a persona, such as Diedrich Knickerbocker (real name Washington Irving), Dr. Suess (real name Theodor Geisel), or Lemony Snicket (real name Daniel Handler).

Mark Twain, the famous pseudonym of Samuel Langhorne Clemens, is said to come from the phrase that riverboat captains would shout out when the boat was in two fathoms of water.

What are some other forms related to pseudonym?

• pseudonymous (adjective)
• pseudonymity (noun)

What are some synonyms for pseudonym?

• pen name
• nom de plume
• anonym
• alias

What are some words that share a root or word element with pseudonym?��

• anonymous
• pseudoscience
• synonym
• antonym
• acronym

What are some words that often get used in discussing pseudonym?

• name
• false
• fake
• fictitious
• identity
• author
• writer
• publish
• book
• novel
• authorship

Pseudonyms can be used for all kinds of reasons, but they’re most often associated with writers.

I mean…sure, make their real names more visible, but the fact that women had to publish under male pseudonyms is a really important part of women’s history & shouldn’t be scrubbed out

— Caroline Criado Perez (@CCriadoPerez)

A Colorado Springs police officer has been suspended after he used a pseudonym to post—on more than one occasion—the words “KILL THEM ALL” in response to stories about Black Lives Matter protesters:

— The Root (@TheRoot)

Domain name > real name

A domain name may be the most useful type of pseudonym.

It pulls up your site as the first hit when punched into a browser; indeed, it bypasses search altogether.

It’s also globally unique, programmable, persistent, and cross-culturally understood.

— balajis.com (@balajis)

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Which of the following terms is NOT a synonym of pseudonym?��

A. alias
B. anonym
C. antonym
D. pen name