How to Choose a Pen Name: Steps, Examples and Mistakes to Avoid
Thinking about writing under a pen name? Learn how to choose one, what to check first, and which mistakes to avoid, with simple examples.
A pen name, also called a pseudonym, is a name an author uses instead of their real one. Writers use them for privacy, to separate genres, or simply because their real name is hard to spell or remember. Here is how to choose one that fits your books.
Why writers use pen names
- Privacy: keeping your writing apart from your day job or family.
- Genre: using different names for different kinds of books so readers know what to expect.
- Memorability: a shorter or smoother name can be easier to find and remember.
- Tradition: famous authors such as Mark Twain and George Orwell wrote under pen names.
Decide what the name has to do
Think about your genre first. A crime thriller and a children’s picture book call for different sounds. Hard consonants feel sharper. Soft sounds feel gentler.
Start from names you know
Many authors build a pen name from a family name, a middle name or the street they grew up on. This gives the name a personal link without using your real one. If you want starting points, the pen name generator gives you combinations by genre.
Keep it easy to spell and say
Readers search for authors by typing their name. If the spelling is confusing, some will never find you. Choose a first and last name that sound clear when read aloud.
Think about the shelf
In a bookshop or an online list, books are often sorted by the author’s last name. A name near the start of the alphabet can be easier to find, but do not choose a name only for this reason.
Check it is not already taken
Search the name in a search engine, on Amazon, and on the social platforms you want to use. Also look through the USPTO trademark database if you plan to build a brand around it. You want a name that is clearly yours.
Say it, then use it
Write it on a mock cover. Introduce yourself with it. If it feels natural after a day or two, it is probably a good fit.
Common mistakes
- Picking a name too close to a famous author.
- Choosing a name that is hard to spell.
- Using a name that suggests a different genre.
- Not checking domains and social handles before you publish.
Need ideas?
Browse the pen name generator for options by genre. If you want to mix a first name with a surname, try the female name generator, the male name generator or the last name generator. For fictional characters rather than yourself, use the character name generator.