Pseudonym

The pseudonym (Greek ψευδώνυμος, ον psevdónymos, Tarn ',' codename ') is a fictitious name one (or more ) authors of works to conceal the identity, the place of the real civil name (clear or real name, Orthonym ) is used. By artist name (also stage name ), as used for example by actors, musicians and artists, it is called rather then when the real person of the author is itself part of the artistic presentation.

• 3.1 Requirements in Germany

Use

Some people worked all his life under a pseudonym (for example, Friedrich Freiherr von Hardenberg → Novalis, Marguerite de Crayencour → Marguerite Yourcenar ). In some of these pseudonyms, the actual identity is unknown or controversial ( for example, the artist J. Metzler or writers B. Traven ).

Others change only certain foods or creative periods or for special works her name (for example, flowers → Jasmin Wagner, Mary Westmacott → Agatha Christie, Richard Bachman → Stephen King, Henry Herblay → Paul Dessau ). Some people also have different artist's name to differentiate various personal works, as they are supposed to express something else ( Patrick Losensky → → Fler Frank White ).

In France, that was even more common. The corresponding expression nom de plume (literally, writing pen - name) was historically popular in educated circles in the German language area.

When choosing a pseudonym numerous reasons to play with:

• Make a name as common gladly sonorous ( Gustav Meyrink Gustav Meyer → ).
• Expression of certain, mostly positive qualities - children's book authors of the early 19th century often bear such names as: August Lewald → Hans Kindermann, Jacob Glatz → Karl Heinrich Gutmann, Amanda Hoppe- Seyler → Aunt Amanda, Heinrich Hoffmann ( the author of Struwwelpeter → rhyme Erich Kinderlieb ) or Ernst Hold, whose identity remained unknown.
• In the 19th and early 20th century women wrote under male names often to their manuscripts at publishers accommodate ( Charlotte Brontë → Currer Bell, Amantine - Aurore Lucile Dupin de - Francueil → George Sand, Mary Ann Evans → George Eliot, Sophie Andresen → S. Wörishöffer ).
• In order not to be successful because of an already known name or otherwise misunderstandings (Michael John Douglas [ not to be confused with Michael Douglas, son of Kirk Douglas ] → Michael Keaton, Nicholas Kim Coppola → Nicolas Cage, Diane Hall → Diane Keaton, James Stewart → Stewart Granger )
• Fear of scandals ( Dominique Aury, actually Anne Desclos → Pauline Réage )
• Fear of persecution ( Erich Kästner → Berthold citizens; Mohammed Moulessehoul → Yasmina Khadra )
• Long names are shortened ( Udo Jürgen Bockelmann Udo Jürgens → or Peter Alexander Peter Alexander Neumayer → ).
• Reversed: The name of a celebrity for advertising purposes is copied (Mary Carey, Dale Carnagey → Dale Carnegie ).
• Protection of their own privacy ( Atze Schröder, the legal action against the mention of his name in bourgeois media)
• Avoid the accusation impermissible self-promotion ( James Alfred Wight → James Herriot )
• Use an alias as part of the artistic or intellectual expression ( Søren Kierkegaard ), Palabros de Cologne (Josef Mahlmeister )
• Difficult, unusual or foreign-language names are often simplified ( Klaus Nakszyński → Klaus Kinski ).
• Fun at the confusion (see for example Luther Blissett )
• A spiritual name emphasizes the non- secular side of nuns and monks (for example, "Sister Claudia", partly in yoga teachers ).
• Tactical consideration in journalistic frequent writers ( Kurt Tucholsky → Theobald Tiger; Günther Stern → Günther Anders)
• Often it is the remains of a school nickname, so by habit (for example, Max Stirner, Che and Sting ).
• Malapropisms, as frequently observed in the 16th century, were transformations as Luther → slut or the German linguist Valentin Ickelsamer, who was also known by the name Zangsthamer or Ickelschamer
• Choice of the mother's surname, as the father himself unpopular ( Pablo Picasso Pablo Ruiz → )
• Desire for individuality and originality (Charles -Edouard Jeanneret- Gris → Le Corbusier ), or the desire from one in the tooths Image to distance ( Puff Daddy → P. Diddy, both pseudonyms)

Using the Internet

Another form of alternative names are the nicknames and user names, often nickname or short "Nick" called - in the wake of the spread of computers and the internet now for many essential. So it needs them for example in the allocation of rights in operating systems or for the use of Internet uses, like e-mail or forums. Here is a pseudonymization not mandatory, but in some cases, quite recommendable (see anonymity and pseudonyms ).

Regulation in Germany

To ensure the protection of personal data, puts the Telemedia Act states:

The service provider has to enable the use of Telemedia and their pay anonymously or under a pseudonym, as far as technically possible and reasonable. The user shall be informed of this possibility.

Similar pseudonyms

Many pseudonyms are pure fantasy. Sometimes an anagram is formed (for example, François Rabelais → Alcofrybas Nasier or Alcofribas Nasier, Paul Ancel → Paul Celan ) from the letter of the correct name. Similar shapes are the ananym which reproduces read backwards the real name (for example, Kurt W. Marek aka CW Ceram ) and the Kryptonym that contains only single letters (for example, Horst Bosetzky → -ky ) or the letter of the name in the text distributed according to a certain pattern.

From a Prenonym is when a name is specified, only the first name (Jean Paul Friedrich Richter → Jean Paul ).

Occasionally, women hide behind men's names with a Pseudandronym (for example, Karen Blixen Isak Dinesen → ) or men behind women's names with a Pseudogynonym (for example, Prosper Mérimée → Clara Gazul ).

Another phenomenon is the Traduktionym, the translation of the real name in another language ( for example, Latin: Georg Bauer → Georgius Agricola, Gerhard Kremer → Gerhard Mercator; French: Ton Koopman → Antoine Marchand, or Greek: Philipp Schwarzerdt → Philipp Melanchthon ). In the Middle Ages and the early modern period it was in use, as it was used especially in academic circles and in politics Latin for understanding.

Especially in the 15th and 16th centuries the Geonym was often used, which selects the name of the place of birth as a pseudonym (for example, Leonardo da Vinci, Heinrich Hoffmann von Faller life ). Modern carriers of a Geonyms are eoplauen consisting of the Saxon village of German Baselitz ( at Kamenz ) native, known under the pseudonym of Georg Baselitz painter Hans - Georg Kern, Jürgen von der Lippe (Hans -Jürgen Hubert Drilling Kamp from Bad Salzuflen in the district of Lippe ) and the Austrian singer Hubert Achleitner, who called himself after his birthplace ( Bad ) Goisern Hubert von Goisern - a language that is quite common in southern German dialects.

More rarely the Aristonym is chosen to beef up his vehicle with a title of nobility, often ironically used (for example, Jürgen von der Lippe, Rosa von Praunheim ). A similar case the Aristonym are apparent or spurious academic title (eg Dr. Seuss or Dr. Kurt Eastern Railway ). Equally rare is the Hagionym, which contains the name of a saint (for example, Halldor Laxness Kiljan ).

( Hella mad Friedrich Theodor Vischer → Deutobold Symbolizetti Allegorowitsch Mystifizinski ) Should the pseudonym of a satirical or ironic intent of the author suggest, one speaks of a Ironym.

In addition, there is the allonym, which sets out the name of a famous personality (for example, Pablo Neruda, who took its name from Jan Neruda ) and the Phraseonym that reflects the name in the form of a phrase (for example, Farin Urlaub ).

A frequently encountered in the field of entertainment industry special form is the Sammelpseudonym or Verlagspseudonym: The fictitious name is not assigned in this case a particular real-world person, but used by a company for the uniform publication of works that originate in truth different authors. Common practice is this approach to publishing houses that publish trivial literature in book form.

Also recorded music companies availed themselves early on a similar concept. A well-known example is the artist giving Orchestra Eric Harden, which was since the late 1920s, used under various trademarks of the then largest European record producer, Carl Lindström AG. Eric Harden was not an existing person, but could stand for any studio orchestra that was just for the needed shots available. Another for years -operated pseudonym of Carl Lindström AG was Fred Funny. Under this name, the Group sold various pop singer, as the then very famous Luigi Bernauer on his brand Odeon.

A more recent example is using Bert Brac, a Sammelpseudonym for accompanying music composers of the radio play label Europa. An example with enormous influence of science is Nicolas Bourbaki. A well-known from the film industry example did not arise from considerations of the producer, but from self-protection request: directors who are dissatisfied with one of her films for various reasons ( for example, due to strong interference of the producers ), usually choose the emergency pseudonym Alan Smithee.

Legal situation

Artist names are now protected name legally. Under the copyright laws an artist has the right to determine under what stage name he prefers to be called. For the choice of the name, there are certain limitations of personal rights of others. In a European passport and the identity documents of many countries can be entered Artist name (and also religious name ).

Conditions in Germany

Artist names can be registered in the identity card and passport. This was possible for many decades - until a change of identity card law 1 November 2007, with the registrability was abolished by artist name. In this change in 2007, there were protests from artists and journalists who are dependent for their professional activity on pseudonyms. These protests were in 2008 prompted the federal government to examine the issue of registrability of artist name once more in. The Federal Council decided on 18 December 2008, the law on identity cards and the electronic proof of identity, in which artists' names were made eligible for registration again as a side control. The law took effect in accordance with Article 7 of the Act until 1 November 2010 in force, this coincided with the introduction of the new ID card. Until then, it remained the registration authorities failed to enter artist name in the ID card. This regulation also religious name were affected. Since 1 November 2010, the entry in identity cards and passports is possible again.

Legally binding and permissible is the signature with a pseudonym, provided that the upcoming exhibits in person concerned is established without doubt. Is signed with the artist name, so that is done the legal writing enough.

The protection of the pseudonym according to § 12 BGB remains unaffected. In any action, the artist name can be related to the party designation. For land purchases entries are in the land using only the artist's name according to § 15 para 1 a GBV not allowed. However, this must be entered additionally to the family name.

For artist names all characters are allowed since November 1, 2012, which are included in the character set String.Latin Bundesdruckerei.