AKAs

AKAs, standing for also known as, is a term used to indicate alternative names, spellings, or identities associated with a person, organization, place, or thing. The plural form AKAs is common in contexts where multiple aliases or name variants exist. The concept is widely used in biographies, databases, catalogs, and legal documents to connect records that refer to the same entity.

Usage of AKAs includes identifying individuals who have multiple names or forms, such as birth names, former names, stage names, pen names, nicknames, or transliterations and translations. It helps researchers, journalists, and archivists link related records and avoid confusion when different sources refer to the same subject. In criminal justice and law enforcement, AKAs connect alias information across investigative files and databases.

In data management and information systems, AKAs are typically stored as separate fields or related entries, with terms such as alias, pseudonym, nickname, or former name. Standards vary by system; library catalogs, databases, and knowledge bases may implement AKAs differently, using fields like “also known as,” “see also,” or dedicated alias properties in structured data formats such as RDF or Wikidata.

Examples include William Jefferson Clinton, AKA Bill Clinton; Samuel Clemens, AKA Mark Twain; and a city such as New York, which has AKAs like Gotham, The Big Apple, and New York City.

Limitations include the potential for outdated or incorrect aliases, the influence of spelling and transliteration variations, and privacy or accuracy concerns. Careful verification and date-context are important when compiling and presenting AKAs.