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Pseudonym

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a fictitious name, especially one used by an author

Where does the word "pseudonym" come from? It comes from Greek pseudōnymos, passing through French before entering English (1840s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
pseudōnymos
Greek · ancient
"falsely named"
'falsely named'
2
Stage 2 of 3
pseudonyme
French · 1800s
"pen name"
a pen name
3
Stage 3 of 3
pseudonym
English · 1840s
"pen name"
borrowed as women authors such as George Eliot published under male names
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Read the full story

Pseudonym’s story begins in Greek: pseudōnymos meant “falsely named.” 'falsely named'. By 1800s, the word had taken hold in French as pseudonyme. A pen name. It reached English by 1840s as pseudonym. Borrowed as women authors such as George Eliot published under male names. Today, pseudonym means a fictitious name, especially one used by an author.