26+ Other Ways to Say “Also Known As” (with 90+ Examples)

The phrase also known as introduces an alternative name for a person, place, or thing. It shows up in legal documents, biographies, news articles, and everyday conversation whenever one name is not enough. But repeating it sounds clumsy, and the wrong alternative can feel too casual or too stiff for your context. This guide gives you 26 replacements for “also known as,” from formal legal terms to friendly everyday phrases, each with a definition and an example sentence.

In this guide, you’ll find 26 handpicked alternatives to “also known as,” each with a clear definition and an example sentence. Use them to sound sharper in essays, profiles, legal writing, and everyday conversation. You can also explore the synonym finder on infospebble.com for even more word choices across dozens of topics.

In this guide

1. Formal and professional alternatives
2. Casual ways to say “also known as”
3. Vivid and creative name words
4. Quick comparison: which way to say “also known as” should you use?
5. Frequently Asked Questions

Formal and professional alternatives

• 1. A.K.A., the classic abbreviation of “also known as.” The suspect, John Miller, a.k.a. “Slim,” was arrested downtown.
• 2. Alias, an assumed name, common in legal and official writing. He traveled under the alias Robert King.
• 3. Otherwise known as, the direct formal equivalent of the phrase. The vitamin, otherwise known as ascorbic acid, supports immunity.
• 4. Formally known as, for a previous official name or title. The company, formally known as BrightTech, rebranded last year.
• 5. Designated as, an officially assigned name or label. The site was designated as a national monument in 1998.
• 6. Styled as, how a name is presented or written. Her name is styled as “Elena R.” on all her books.
• 7. Denominated as, a formal term for how something is named. The coin was denominated as a five-dollar piece.
• 8. Identified as, recognized under a particular name. The artist was identified as the founder of the movement.
• 9. Known under the name of, a careful legal phrasing. The business operated under the name of Sunrise Bakery.

Casual ways to say “also known as”

• 10. Better known as, when the alternative name is the famous one. Samuel Clemens is better known as Mark Twain.
• 11. Commonly known as, the name most people actually use. Sodium chloride is commonly known as table salt.
• 12. Popularly known as, widely recognized by the general public. The city is popularly known as the Big Apple.
• 13. Often called, a simple, everyday way to give a nickname. My grandmother was often called “Nana” by the neighbors.
• 14. Sometimes called, for names used only occasionally. The plant is sometimes called the “prayer plant.”
• 15. Goes by, the name someone prefers in daily life. Christopher goes by “Topher” at work.
• 16. Known to friends as, a nickname used in a social circle. She is known to friends as “Lulu.”
• 17. You may know them as, a friendly way to introduce an alternative name. You may know her as the host of the morning show.

Vivid and creative name words

• 18. Pen name, a false name used by a writer. George Eliot was the pen name of Mary Ann Evans.
• 19. Stage name, a performer’s professional name. Her stage name is Billie Eilish, but her real name is different.
• 20. Nom de plume, a fancy French term for a pen name. He writes political columns under a nom de plume.
• 21. Handle, an online username or nickname. Her gaming handle is “PixelQueen.”
• 22. Nickname, an affectionate short or playful name. His nickname at school was “Bones.”
• 23. Moniker, playful slang for a name or nickname. He earned the moniker “The Wall” as a goalkeeper.
• 24. Birth name, the name given at birth. Her birth name was Audrey Ruston.
• 25. Trading as, the name a business operates under. The shop trades as “Green Grocer” but is legally owned by a larger firm.
• 26. Dubbed, given a title or nickname by others. She was dubbed “the queen of soul” by music critics.

Quick comparison: which way to say “also known as” should you use?

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I write “a.k.a.,” “aka,” or “AKA”?

All three forms appear in print, but style guides differ. “A.k.a.” with periods is the most traditional and works best in formal writing. “AKA” in capitals is common in journalism. Lowercase “aka” is fine for casual writing, texts, and social media.

Can “also known as” be used for things, not just people?

Yes. It works for places, products, laws, and ideas too. New York is also known as the Big Apple, and the Affordable Care Act is also known as Obamacare. The phrase simply signals an alternative name, no matter what the name belongs to.

What is the difference between an alias and a nickname?

An alias is a name someone adopts on purpose, often to hide their real identity, and it carries a formal or legal weight. A nickname is usually given by others, is affectionate or playful, and carries no legal meaning. “John goes by the alias John Doe” sounds serious; “John’s nickname is Johnny” sounds warm.

Do I need commas around “also known as”?

Yes, when it introduces a nonessential name, set it off with commas: “The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, passed in 2010.” The Free Dictionary definition of “also known as” defines it as “known by another name or description,” which matches this parenthetical use exactly.

Final thoughts

The right replacement for “also known as” depends on formality and intent. Use “alias” or “formally known as” in legal and official writing, “better known as” or “goes by” in everyday language, and vivid picks like “dubbed” or “moniker” when you want color. If you liked this guide, explore our articles on other ways to say “obvious” and other ways to say “meaningful” to keep building your vocabulary. Bookmark the infospebble.com homepage to find more word guides that keep your writing fresh and precise.