screen name

Digital identity label

A screen name is a username or alias used online, especially in chat rooms, gaming, or social media.

Unlike a legal name, a screen name can be playful, anonymous, or descriptive: My screen name back in the AOL days was SurfDude99.

The term emerged with early internet culture and persists alongside handle and username.

alias

pseudonym

Fictitious professional name

handlePart for gripping
nicknameInformal substitute name
monikerInformal designation for someone

nom de plume · nom de guerre · incognito · alter ego · throwaway · burner account · sock puppet · anon · alt

online

handle

Part for gripping

loginAuthentication act or screen
gamertagPlayer's online identity
gamer tagChosen online identity

culture

handle

Part for gripping

tagIdentifier or classifier
Twitter handleSocial media account name

identity

persona

Assumed public identity

avatarDigital user representation
profileSide-facing outline
online identityVirtual representation of oneself

digital identity · brand · reputation · anonymity · privacy · self-expression · online presence · digital footprint · verification · authenticity

Categories

nicknamesnickname, alias, handle, moniker, diminutive
identifiersidentifier, title, rank, license, permit
personal datadate of birth, DOB, birthday, birthdate, birth date
aliasesalias, pseudonym, codename, nom de plume, handle
avatar customizationprofile picture, gamertag, handle, persona, character
hidden identitiesanonymous, anonymity, pseudonym, alias, incognito

Opposites

identity authenticity

screen namereal name

Actual given identity

legal name · given name · birth name · true name · full name

public visibility

screen namebyline

Article author identification

Family

name, screen, username, touchscreen, widescreen, screensaver, usernames, silver screen, screen names

Familiarity: Top 50,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G