aka

or a.k.a., AKA

[ ey-key-ey ]

abbreviation for

1. also known as: (used to indicate another name or alias used by a person):

   According to police records he is Joe Smith aka “Baby Face Smith” and Joseph Smathers.

aka

¹

/ ˈɑːkə /

noun

1. a vine, Metrosideros scandens , found in New Zealand

a.k.a.

²

abbreviation for

1. also known as

aka

1. An abbreviation meaning “also known as.” It is primarily used by law enforcement officials to specify an alias: “John Smith, aka Jonathan Jones.”

Notes

The abbreviation, which also appears as AKA and a.k.a., is often used figuratively and facetiously: “my cousin, aka the worst gossip in the neighborhood.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of aka¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Word History and Origins

Origin of aka¹

Māori

Example Sentences

In May, the head of Guerreros Unidos, Mario Casarrubias Salgado, aka the Beautiful Toad, was arrested.

From The Daily Beast

That kind of behavior would be in keeping with somebody who had been slipped a date rape drug such as Midazolam, aka Dazzle.

From The Daily Beast

The horseman, aka Abraham, is actually passably cute, with a rocking bod and apparently steady source of income.

From The Daily Beast

The compilation also brought the Nazi-riffic Apt Pupil and leach-tastic The Body (aka Stand By Me) to the silver screen.

From The Daily Beast

The “Hall of Fame” also houses the Duchess of Cambridge (aka Kate Middleton), which seems sad though spot-on.

From The Daily Beast

The suffix -aka or -aga sometimes appears and gives a sense of continuance to the verbal root.

From Project Gutenberg

This form may also appear as ša, as for instance aka—to be on fire becomes aša, to set on fire.

From Project Gutenberg

I was drawing the grand old head of a venerable dame—Oriuhia t Aka—when she asked to see what I was about.

From Project Gutenberg

But if the adjective in the superlative expresses a lessening of the quality then -aka(ne) is suffixed.

From Project Gutenberg

"Killed a rosmaro today, second time in ten days," Ch'aka said.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• AKA
• also called