Allonym

/ˈælənim/ noun

Definition

A name that belongs to or is characteristic of someone else; a false name taken from another person, or a pen name based on another's identity.

Etymology

From Greek 'allo-' (other) + 'onym' (name). Coined as literary terminology, opposite of 'pseudonym,' meaning a name borrowed from another rather than invented.

Kelly Says

While pseudonyms are completely made up, an allonym is when you write under someone else's actual name—way more deceptive and way more interesting from a literary mystery perspective.

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