pen name

noun

: an author's pseudonym

Examples of pen name in a Sentence

Samuel L. Clemens is better known by his pen name “Mark Twain.”

Recent Examples on the Web

Twain, who was born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, even took his pen name from the job. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 May 2026

Writers who used to hide their masculinist impulses behind a pen name now write and say outrageous things under their real name. — Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026

Baggott, who also writes under two pen names, is a bestselling novelist, short story writer, essayist, and poet who has written more than 20 books. — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 9 Feb. 2026

The book chronicles the relationship between the Huckleberry Finn author (whose real name was Samuel Clemens) and his famed pen name. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1864, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pen name

• acclaim
• aflame
• airframe
• ballgame
• became
• declaim
• defame
• disclaim
• doorframe
• exclaim
• inflame
• mainframe

Kids Definition

pen name

noun

: a false name used by an author