Pseudonym, has its origins in the Greek word pseudōnymos, which means "bearing a false name." Greek speakers formed their word by combining pseud-, meaning "false," and onyma, meaning "name." French speakers adopted the Greek word as pseudonyme, and English speakers later modified the French word into pseudonym. Many celebrated authors have used pseudonyms. Samuel Clemens wrote under the pseudonym "Mark Twain," Charles Lutwidge Dodgson assumed the pseudonym "Lewis Carroll," and Mary Ann Evans used "George Eliot" as her pseudonym.
Mark Twain is the pseudonym of the American writer Samuel L. Clemens.
the most notorious serial killer of the 19th century remains known only by the pseudonym of Jack the Ripper
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The prosecution requested that they be addressed using pseudonyms during trial.—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 7 Apr. 2025 The woman, who sued under a Jane Doe pseudonym, told jurors that Way allegedly first raped her in a bathroom during a police raid of his home in mid-February 2019.—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 1 Apr. 2025 Each guest is given a pseudonym, Colonel Mustard (David Hess), Mrs. White (Donna English), Mrs. Peacock (Jennifer Allen), Mr. Green (John Shartzer), Professor Plum (Evan Zes) and Miss Scarlett (Christina Anthony).—Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2025 The song was penned by Chet Powers, a pseudonym for future Quicksilver Messenger Service member Dino Valenti.—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pseudonym
Word History
Etymology
French pseudonyme, from Greek pseudōnymos bearing a false name, from pseud- + onyma name — more at name
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