Pen name

A pen name or nom de plume is a pseudonym adopted by an author.

Nom de plume is an English-language expression, a direct translation of pen name ton French. The proper French term is nom de guerre, or "war name". Allonym is another synonym for pseudonym.

Some authors take on pen names to conceal their identity: for example the Brontes, who felt they would either not be published at all, or not taken seriously as women authors. Others to segregate different types of work: Lewis Carroll because as Charles Lutwidge Dodgson he wrote mathematics papers; Agatha Christie wrote romantic novels as Mary Westmacott. Pseudonyms are not always secret: Stendahl's real name was known: at least one critic disparaged his pen name as an affectation.

Pen names of famous authors include:


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