alter egos
Hidden identity versions
An alter ego is a second self—another identity or persona distinct from one's usual personality.
The term covers everything from a writer's pen name to a superhero's secret identity: Clark Kent is Superman's alter ego.
In psychology, it may describe a dissociated personality.
Close friends are sometimes called alter egos, suggesting they think and feel as you do.
Performer's professional alias
- pen nameAuthor's assumed identity
- monikerInformal designation for someone
- Slim ShadyDetroit MC's alias
- character creationBuilding a playable persona
Ziggy Stardust · performance · persona · artistic expression · reinvention · role-playing · theatrical · embodiment
Undisclosed true self
- aliasAdopted false name
- pseudonymFictitious professional name
- avatarDigital user representation
- maskFace-worn concealment
disguise · double life · nom de plume · incognito · guise · facade · character · role
- Bruce WayneGotham's cowled crimefighter's identity
- costumeClothing for portrayal
- capeShouldered sleeveless wrap
- powersAbilities or authorities held
Peter Parker · vigilante · sidekick · origin story · Gotham · metropolis · comic book · archenemy
Unconscious rejected aspects
- mirror imageReversed visual duplicate
- other halfInformal term for spouse
- Jekyll and HydeDual-natured person archetype
- splitSeparation into parts
twin · dark side · light side · inner conflict · contradiction · polarity · dichotomy · balance
Mental separation from surroundings
- repressionUnconscious blocking of thoughts
- inner selfPrivate essential identity
- true selfOne's genuine identity
- hidden desiresConcealed personal longings
subconscious · projection · defense mechanism · self-deception · compartmentalization · coping · fragmentation · integration
stage name
Performer's professional alias
- pen nameAuthor's assumed identity
- monikerInformal designation for someone
- Slim ShadyDetroit MC's alias
Ziggy Stardust · character creation · performance · persona · artistic expression · reinvention · role-playing · theatrical · embodiment · transformation
secret identity
Undisclosed true self
mask · disguise · double life · nom de plume · incognito · guise · facade · character · role · hidden self
Clark Kent
- Bruce WayneGotham's cowled crimefighter's identity
- costumeClothing for portrayal
- capeShouldered sleeveless wrap
Peter Parker · powers · vigilante · sidekick · origin story · Gotham · metropolis · comic book · archenemy · unmasking
shadow self
Unconscious rejected aspects
- mirror imageReversed visual duplicate
- other halfInformal term for spouse
- Jekyll and HydeDual-natured person archetype
split · twin · dark side · light side · inner conflict · contradiction · polarity · dichotomy · balance · coexistence
dissociation
Mental separation from surroundings
- repressionUnconscious blocking of thoughts
- inner selfPrivate essential identity
- true selfOne's genuine identity
hidden desires · subconscious · projection · defense mechanism · self-deception · compartmentalization · coping · fragmentation · integration · shadow work
- pseudonymspen name, pen names, pseudonym, pseudonyms, nom de plume
- comic book elementssuperheroes, villains, sidekicks, secret identities, speech bubbles
- anonymity toolsaliases, pseudonyms, pen names, screen names, usernames
- made-up namesneologisms, pseudonyms, stage names, pen names, screen names
- namesgiven names, first names, names, surnames, first name
ego, alter, alternative, alternate, altered, altering, unaltered, egotism, alternating