Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
false name

false name

9 3.9
A made-up name someone uses to hide who they are
  • noun
  • /fɔls neɪm/
translation icon : nombre falso
  • Iris checked into the Regent last night under a false name.
  • giving a false name

And if it is, it's never him and some false name that will take a shot at me.

Examples

  • A potential date could give a false name, even more likely if they have a record.

    Blog text (27)

  • We'll enter him under a false name.

    Crackerjack (2002)

  • will you please explain why you gave us a false name?

    Black Magic (1944)

  • How am I supposed to find this man when maybe he used a false name?

    Man Trouble (1992)

  • Getting a ticket under a false name would not have worked either.

    Blog text (9)

  • Tell me, George, why did you give a false name to the boat keeper?

    A Place in the Sun (1951)

  • In the meantime, my brother and I had been sent to stay with friends under false names.

    Academic text (2006)

  • He was going under a false name.

    Fantasm (1976)

  • She travels under a false name.

    S1m0ne (2002)

  • Mother and I often travel under a false name for security reasons.

Synonyms

alias
vsfalse name
64 7.0

A name a person uses instead of their real name to hide identity

is the general term for any not real name used to avoid detection
pseudonym
vsfalse name
32 7.7

A name a writer or singer uses instead of their real name

covers hiding identity generally, not only creative publication contexts
stage name
vsfalse name
19 3.6

A different name used publicly by an actor or musician

is not limited to public performance names and covers all concealment
pen name
vsfalse name
10 3.5

A name an author uses instead of their real name when publishing

is broader, applying to any not real name used to avoid detection
assumed name
vsfalse name
6 6.3

A name someone uses instead of their real name to hide who they are

focuses broadly on any not real name used to avoid detection
nom de plume
vsfalse name
  • Literature
3 8.2

A name an author uses instead of their real name

is the wide term for any not real name beyond author use
fictitious name
vsfalse name
  • Formal
1 7.8

A name a business uses that is not its legal registered name

refers to personal not real names used to hide individual identity
cryptonym
vsfalse name
1 9.9

A secret name used to hide a person's identity or a project's purpose

is used generally for any not real personal name, not only codes
anonym
vsfalse name
9.6

A name someone makes up and uses to hide who they are

is used for hiding identity in any situation, not only new roles
humorous alias
vsfalse name
7.0

A funny name someone uses to hide their real identity

is mainly serious, used to conceal identity rather than for amusement
byname
vsfalse name
  • Archaic
8.6

A familiar name used instead of someone's real name

usually implies concealment or avoidance of detection rather than familiarity

How Secret

codename
6 5.7
false name
9 3.9
alias
64 7.0

Surface Forms

false name singular
false names plural

Morphology

false + name

The meaning 'a name someone uses that is not their real name' is directly derivable from combining 'false' (not real/true) with 'name' (an identifier). This is a straightforward, compositional pattern found in many languages (e.g., Spanish 'nombre falso', French 'faux nom'), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand it.

Etymology

False name comes from the simple image of using a name that is not real: false means 'not true' and name is what people are called. So a false name is a made-up name someone uses to 'hide who they are' or avoid being recognised.