pseudonym

American  

[sood-n-im] / ˈsud n ɪm /

noun

1. a fictitious name used especially by an author to conceal their identity; pen name.

   Synonyms:

   nom de plume, alias

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pseudonym British  

/ ˈsjuːdəˌnɪm /

noun

1. a fictitious name adopted, esp by an author

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Usage

What is a pseudonym? 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.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• pseudonymity
  noun

Etymology

Origin of pseudonym

First recorded in 1840–50; from Greek pseudṓnymon “false name”; see pseud-, -onym

Explanation

A pseudonym is a name that someone, often a writer, uses instead of their real name. The real name of Dr. Seuss was Theodore Seuss Geisel. Mark Twain was a pseudonym for the writer Samuel Clemens. A near synonym of pseudonym is pen name. Similarly, an allonym is the name of an important person in history that is taken by a writer as a pseudonym. Some of Shakespeare's plays might have been written by other writers using an allonym. If an actor uses a fake name, it is usually called a stage name. And there's no fancy work for nickname — it's just what your family and friends call you.

Example Sentences

He took his pseudonym from the town of Ranya in Iraqi Kurdistan, where he is believed to be from.

From BBC • May 12, 2026

The man, who was identified by a pseudonym, said he and his wife are afraid of what their future will look like.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

"Will it have an impact on me, on my job, on my future work opportunities?" said the man, who asked to use the pseudonym Baicai.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

They bought him a ticket to go back home to Oklahoma City, and told him he’d be traveling under a pseudonym because his name had been leaked to the media.

From Slate • Apr. 19, 2026

At first, Stanton signed her articles with a pseudonym, “Sunflower,” and later she used her initials, E.C.S.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

Related Words

• alias
• stage name