pseudonüüm

Pseudonüüm is a fictitious name used by an individual to conceal their real identity, most often in writing, performance, and public-facing work. The term is the Estonian form of “pseudonym,” derived from the Greek pseudes “false” and onoma “name.”

Historically, pseudonüüms have served various purposes. Notable literary examples include Samuel Clemens as Mark Twain, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson as Lewis Carroll, and Mary Ann Evans as George Eliot. In modern times, Joanne Rowling has published as J. K. Rowling and under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith for a crime series. Pseudonyms are also common among journalists, actors, and online users seeking privacy or branding control.

Reasons for using a pseudonüüm include privacy and personal safety, political or social risk, audience targeting and branding, gender or ethnic anonymity, satire or critical stance, and contractual or legal considerations. A pseudonym may be a completely different name or a modified version of the real name, and it may be used for a single work or for a sustained public persona.

Legal and practical aspects vary by jurisdiction. Copyright typically applies to the creator regardless of the name used; publishers and rights holders may require disclosure of the real identity for contracts or legal purposes. Pseudonyms can complicate bibliographic listings, royalties, and authorship attribution, though many publishing and cataloging systems accommodate them.

While overlapping with stage names and online handles, a pseudonüüm generally denotes a protective or branding-oriented public identity distinct from the person’s private identity.