pen-name
Writer's assumed identity
A pen-name is a fictitious name adopted by a writer in place of their real name.
Authors use pen-names for privacy, to write in genres outside their established reputation, or to obscure identity for other reasons: George Orwell was the pen-name of Eric Arthur Blair.
Also spelled as one word: penname.
Adopted false name
- monikerInformal designation for someone
- sobriquetDescriptive informal name
- handlePart for gripping
- nom de guerreAssumed military identity
- George EliotPseudonymous Victorian novelist
- VoltaireFrench Enlightenment satirist
- O. HenryAmerican short story writer
- Lemony SnicketUnfortunate events chronicler
Creator of texts
- novelistWriter of prose narratives
- essayistAuthor of short prose
- columnistRecurring newspaper feature writer
- journalistNews profession practitioner
playwright · screenwriter · ghostwriter · coauthor · correspondent · poet · biographer · memoirist
Freedom from observation
- secrecyPractice of hiding information
- incognitoWith identity concealed
- hidden identityConcealed true self
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
mask · veil · concealment · obscurity · confidentiality · undisclosed · unrevealed · protection
alias
Adopted false name
nom de guerre · byname · alter ego · cognomen
Mark Twain
- George EliotPseudonymous Victorian novelist
- VoltaireFrench Enlightenment satirist
- O. HenryAmerican short story writer
writer
Creator of texts
- novelistWriter of prose narratives
- essayistAuthor of short prose
- columnistRecurring newspaper feature writer
journalist · playwright · screenwriter · ghostwriter · coauthor · correspondent · poet · biographer · memoirist · blogger
privacy
Freedom from observation
- secrecyPractice of hiding information
- incognitoWith identity concealed
- hidden identityConcealed true self
disguise · mask · veil · concealment · obscurity · confidentiality · undisclosed · unrevealed · protection · separation
pen-namereal name
Actual given identity
legal name · true name · birth name · given name · proper name
pen-namelegal name
Official designation on records
legal identity · official name · government name · passport name · byline