pseudonyma

Pseudonyma are fictitious names adopted to conceal or manage a person’s public identity. The term derives from Greek pseudo- “false” and onoma “name,” and denotes the practice of using an alternative name instead of a given one.

They serve purposes such as artistic branding, privacy, safety, or audience segmentation. Pseudonyma include pen names (nom de plume) used by writers, stage names for performers, journalistic bylines under a pseudonym, and online handles. People may maintain several pseudonyma across different contexts.

Notable examples include Samuel Clemens as Mark Twain, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson as Lewis Carroll, Theodor Geisel as Dr. Seuss, Eric Blair as George Orwell, and Stephen King as Richard Bachman. Contemporary authors like Elena Ferrante publish under a pseudonym; musicians use stage names such as Prince or Beyoncé.

Legal and ethical aspects include questions of accountability, copyright, and defamation. Some jurisdictions require real names for professional registrations or contracts, while others permit broad use of pseudonyma. Privacy and safety are common reasons for adopting a pseudonym, but deception or misrepresentation can undermine credibility.