pseudonym

noun

pseu·​do·​nym ˈsü-də-ˌnim 

: a fictitious name

especially : pen name

Did you know?

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.

Synonyms of pseudonym

• alias

Examples of pseudonym in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Lafferty’s book The Zodiac Killer Cover-Up posits the theory that Andrew Todd Walker, an pseudonym, was the killer, not Arthur Leigh Allen, who went to school with Lafferty. —Peter White, Deadline, 24 Nov. 2025

Ghandour’s aunt, a midwife whose home becomes a refuge, and Natalie, also known by the pseudonym Leila, whose journey through shelters and family violence reveals the human cost of Iraq’s legal vacuum where women are concerned. —Essie Assibu, Variety, 22 Nov. 2025

In September, Rowling published a novel under her pseudonym Robert Galbraith, about a fictional serial killer who dressed as a woman. —Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Nov. 2025

In the book, which King wrote under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, Ben carjacks a wealthy woman named Amelia (played by Emilia Jones), taking her hostage and getting the press's attention in the process. —Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French pseudonyme, from Greek pseudōnymos bearing a false name, from pseud- + onyma name — more at name

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pseudonym

• under a pseudonym

Rhymes for pseudonym

• antonym
• kibbutzim
• synonym
• brim
• clim
• dim
• grim
• gym
• him
• hymn
• im
• limb

Kids Definition

pseudonym

noun

pseud·​onym

ˈsüd-ᵊn-ˌim

: a fictitious name

especially : pen name