# What's the origin of your alias/call-sign/username/handle? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 29, 2005, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-your-alias-call-sign-username-handle/314778 "2005-07-29T17:56:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2005, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-your-alias-call-sign-username-handle/314778/61 "2005-07-30T13:11:18Z")
> [@continuity eror](#): > > 1. Do you use it everywhere? No, just here. I am still pretty pissed that I can’t use my real username, since this has grown to be my primary message board and I’d like to use my primary Intername. Actually it’s highly likely that I registered my “regular” name myself and forgot about it; it’s just such an uncommon username that someone would have to be consciously stealing it from me. Does the person with your preferred name still post? I didn’t get my first choice either, and the person who took the name I wanted isn’t around anymore. I thought about answering this OP, but then I decided I’d like to keep the mystique going. 🙂 _ **disappears in a puff of powdered dung** _ ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2005, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-your-alias-call-sign-username-handle/314778/62 "2005-07-30T13:12:22Z")
\*\*1) What’s the story behind the name you chose for yourself here? \*\* I hadn’t even thought of a new user name ( when I signed up for Doperdom about 8 - 9 years ago when we were at AOL or where ever, I just used my initials and birthdate. JA1166. Boring. Faced with the imposing, nay, daunting task of giving myself a new screen name my brain was literally a combination of a blank slate with Patrick Star before the chalk board. Then in a moment of absolute clarity that I haven’t had before or since, the name **Shirley Ujest** popped into my brain and I _Knew_ it was perfect for me. Absolutely Perfect. \*\* 2) Do you use it everywhere? \*\* I sometimes refer to myself in my head as Shirley. If I could, I would consider changing my name legally too it, cause I likes it so much. **3) If not, what other interesting aliases do you use online?** Yahoo, I am ShirleyUjest1066 (1066 for the Normand Invasion) . Still, this does not mean I do not covet **Atomic Badger Racing** and **Imthecowgodmoo** because of their sheer brilliance and catchyness. I still think occassionally about changing my username, something sexier or trendier like **BrandyAmberTiffanyODoom** or **Dementor** Cause I seem to suck the life out of threads at an alarming rate.but, I won’t. :::::::Hello? Is this thing on?:::::::::::::::::::: ---
**Author:** ![Olive\_The\_Other\_Reindeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Olive\_The\_Other\_Reindeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olive_The_Other_Reindeer)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2005, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-your-alias-call-sign-username-handle/314778/63 "2005-07-30T13:21:06Z")
**1) What’s the story behind the name you chose for yourself here?** When I first found the SDMB, a lot of the other members had really bad puns as names. Since it was near Christmas, this name came immediately to mind. Yes, I know it’s technically a “Mondelgreen”. **2) Do you use it everywhere?** No, this is the only place. **3) If not, what other interesting aliases do you use online?** My SN most other places is “Secondhand Rose”. **4) Is your username gender neutral/confusing?** Unfortunately, most guys can figure out that I’m female. **5) Has this ever caused you problems and/or entertainment?** Yes, in that I get gazillions of email propositions from guys as far as 12,000 miles away, and the entertainment is trying to figure out WTF they’re saying as many are written in a variant of English known only to the author. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2005, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-your-alias-call-sign-username-handle/314778/64 "2005-07-30T13:23:42Z")
> [@pokey](#): > > I always imagined you look like Elvis Costello. 🙂 Other than that we both used to wear the same style of glasses, no. You got the gender right, though! ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2005, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-your-alias-call-sign-username-handle/314778/65 "2005-07-30T13:31:46Z")
> [@Olive](#): > > **1) What’s the story behind the name you chose for yourself here?** > When I first found the SDMB, a lot of the other members had really bad puns as names. Since it was near Christmas, this name came immediately to mind. Yes, I know it’s technically a “Mondelgreen”. I’d always thought it was inspired by [this](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0227173/). ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2005, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-your-alias-call-sign-username-handle/314778/66 "2005-07-30T13:45:51Z")
\*\*1) What’s the story behind the name you chose for yourself here? \*\* My real name is Anastasia. My husband called me his star, his Anastasaeon. I like stars. It was better than the alternative: I am his flower, his Anastasalily. \*\*2) Do you use it everywhere? \*\* Only here. **3) If not, what other interesting aliases do you use online?** Tumtum Lootie. **4a) Is your username gender neutral/confusing?** I didn’t think so, but several people here said they were unsure/originally thought I was male. **4b) Has this ever caused you problems and/or entertainment?** No. It seems to cause other people problems, however, as I get many complaints about spelling it! I didn’t think it was terribly complicated: think of the name Anastasia… but after that last “s”, spell “aeon”, like Aeon Flux. Put it all together: A-N-A-S-T-A-S-A-E-O-N. Rah rah rah. Go, me. FTR - it is pronounced AHNNA-STAY’-ZAY-ON. My real name is pronounced ANNA-STAY’-ZHYA, where that final ZH is almost like a very soft “J”, but not quite. I don’t know how to describe that particular sound. ---
**Author:** ![Alias](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a88e4f/32.png) [@Alias](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alias)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2005, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-your-alias-call-sign-username-handle/314778/67 "2005-07-30T14:56:57Z")
1. What’s the story behind the name you chose for yourself here? Well, my username is Alias, and that’s an alias, get it? 2. Do you use it everywhere? No. Just the SDMB. When I chose the username, the TV show Alias did not exist, now that it does, I don’t want people to associate me with it. 3. If not, what other interesting aliases do you use online? Elsewhere online, I’m stellamavis, stellamerteuil, stellamarla, and stellamomo. Oddly, my real name is NOT Stella. 4a) Is your username gender neutral/confusing? Not anymore. When I first started posting, people thought I was a guy, now people automatically think of the TV show, and assume I’m a girl. 4b) Has this ever caused you problems and/or entertainment? Not yet. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2005, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-your-alias-call-sign-username-handle/314778/68 "2005-07-30T17:27:45Z")
**1) What’s the story behind the name you chose for yourself here?** My name is Bo. I’m a snowboarder. **2) Do you use it everywhere?** Yep. **3) If not, what other interesting aliases do you use online?** N/A. I’m Bo no matter where I go. **4a) Is your username gender neutral/confusing?** Nope. **4b) Has this ever caused you problems and/or entertainment?** Nope. ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_in\_second\_hand\_clothing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9d8465/32.png) [@wolf\_in\_second\_hand\_clothing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_in_second_hand_clothing)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2005, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-your-alias-call-sign-username-handle/314778/69 "2005-07-30T18:28:22Z")
**1) What’s the story behind the name you chose for yourself here?** Well, I work in a second hand store and I’m in college, so you can imagine what composes most of my wardrobe. Also, it’s a line in a song that I find to be… pretty good, I guess. **2) Do you use it everywhere?** No, I didn’t really think of it until I signed up here. **3) If not, what other interesting aliases do you use online?** When I used to play on [battle.net](http://battle.net) I used _fedaykin_ **4a) Is your username gender neutral/confusing?** I don’t think so. **4b) Has this ever caused you problems and/or entertainment?** It may be a little long. People can shorten it to **wishc** or something, I don’t really care. ---
**Author:** ![cruel\_butterfly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5daacb/32.png) [@cruel\_butterfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cruel_butterfly)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2005, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-your-alias-call-sign-username-handle/314778/70 "2005-07-30T18:53:08Z")
**1) What’s the story behind the name you chose for yourself here?** I believe I suffer from undiagnosed social anxiety disorder. I get the “butterflies in my stomach” feeling when I go _anywhere_. I often pass on activities that would’ve been fun or exciting, thus the “butterflies” are cruel for keeping me from the alleged “good” things in life. They even prevent me from posting sometimes. **2) Do you use it everywhere?** No **3) If not, what other interesting aliases do you use online?** I am “girlygirl\_mom” and “evansmom” on two other message boards. Only one of them reflects the truth…I’ll leave that up to the reader. **4) Is your username gender neutral/confusing? Has this ever caused you problems and/or entertainment?** If I hadn’t already referred to my husband and children, maybe my UN would be gender neutral. Then again, it contains the word “butterfly”, so probably not. ---
**Author:** ![davenportavenger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f8ce5/32.png) [@davenportavenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davenportavenger)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2005, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-your-alias-call-sign-username-handle/314778/71 "2005-07-30T21:28:55Z")
> [@Dung Beetle](#): > > Does the person with your preferred name still post? No, they never did. Bastards! But I think I am changing my username anyway, to something very similar if not identical. I hate not using my “real” name on this board, it irks me every time I post. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2005, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-your-alias-call-sign-username-handle/314778/72 "2005-07-30T22:02:41Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > **1) What’s the story behind the name you chose for yourself here? > 2) Do you use it everywhere? > 3) If not, what other interesting aliases do you use online?** > > What’s your story? Oh, and while we’re on the topic: > > **4a) Is your username gender neutral/confusing? > 4b) Has this ever caused you problems and/or entertainment?** 1. Long ago, in the days of Commodore 64 BBS excitement, I began one of those “tandem writing” escapades with a story about a Cajun named Zeldar and his tribe. It never really took off as a story beyond my initial post, but the name struck me as worthy when it came time to log in here. 2. No 3. None 4a) Confusing 4b) Not really “problems” as such, just occasional fun. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2005, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-your-alias-call-sign-username-handle/314778/73 "2005-07-30T22:16:57Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > **1) What’s the story behind the name you chose for yourself here? > 2) Do you use it everywhere? > 3) If not, what other interesting aliases do you use online? > 4a) Is your username gender neutral/confusing? > 4b) Has this ever caused you problems and/or entertainment?** 1. It’s from [this column of Cecil’s](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_039.html). I’m not a vampire nut so much as I just liked the sound of it. 2. Nope, just here and occasionally as a username when I’m tired of using my real name. 3. Since I don’t use it anymore I’ll state that I used to write editorials and comments under the name “Peter Sabbath”. This was the birth name of the Emperor Justinian (Petros Sabbatios) and while he’s a rather despicable fellow, I liked the way it sounded. 4. a. I don’t think so. b. Not that I recall. ---
**Author:** ![BraheSilver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@BraheSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BraheSilver)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2005, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-your-alias-call-sign-username-handle/314778/74 "2005-07-30T22:44:37Z")
**1) What’s the story behind the name you chose for yourself here?** The astronomer Tycho Brahe had a nose made from silver. ([Cecil’s column](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a980717a.html) on the subject.) I’ve always been curious about the lives of actual “mad scientists,” and this seemed both interesting and esoteric enough to be a good username. **2) Do you use it everywhere?** Not anymore. It turns out there’s a fairly popular internet personality who also goes by “Tycho Brahe,” and a surprising number of people failed recognize it as a historical reference and insisted that my name was reference to that person instead. **3) If not, what other interesting aliases do you use online?** Silver, or more recently Bursar. **4a) Is your username gender neutral/confusing?** It’s a surname, so I suppose it could be. **4b) Has this ever caused you problems and/or entertainment?** No, though I did once convince somebody that “bursar” was Spanish for “to go insane.” That was fun. ---
**Author:** ![fubbleskag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fubbleskag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fubbleskag)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2005, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-your-alias-call-sign-username-handle/314778/75 "2005-07-30T22:50:30Z")
**1) What’s the story behind the name you chose for yourself here?** a drunken australian was angry at me on IRC and this was one of the (many) unintelligible names he called me. i’ve asked a few ozzies and have determined that it doesn’t mean anything, he was just drunk. **2) Do you use it everywhere?** more often than not, lately. i used to go by ‘scoob’ (since BBS’ in early 90s) but decided it was time for a change. although my closest friends still call me scoob in real life to this day. ---
**Author:** ![Detritus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@Detritus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Detritus)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2005, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-your-alias-call-sign-username-handle/314778/76 "2005-07-30T23:31:59Z")
1. From the character in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series. I’m not very large, not a police officer, not a silicon-based lifeform, not roughly male…but the heat can tend to make me feel a little dull-witted sometimes! Actually, my first name begins with D and I therefore gravitate toward D names. I was having a bit of a Discworld moment when I signed up for SDMB (I was reading _Night Watch_ and had seen a post by **Ponder Stibbons** shortly before deciding I needed to join so I could search) and there’s not much in the way of good female D names on Discworld. 2. Nope. Here and elsewhere, but not allwhere. 3. shypython - My ball python is named Shai after the Fremen name for the great worms of Dune, shai-hulud. (Never saw the movies, so if “shy” is incorrect pronunciation, too bad.) I’m not particularly shy, though. 4. The character Detritus is male while I am not. Don’t know how it would sound to one who hadn’t read Discworld… 5. Not particularly. (shypython has caused some humerous penile erectile dysfunction remarks, though.) ---
**Author:** ![Hung\_Mung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@Hung\_Mung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hung_Mung)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2005, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-your-alias-call-sign-username-handle/314778/77 "2005-07-31T00:01:12Z")
**1) What’s the story behind the name you chose for yourself here?** One of the Five Apostles of Eris. “A Sage of Ancient China and Official Discordian Missionary to the heathen Chinee. He who originally devised the SACRED CHAO. Patron of the Season of Chaos. Holyday: Jan. 5.” Also, it was the first thing I thought of. **2) Do you use it everywhere?** No. **3) If not, what other interesting aliases do you use online?** I used to use Orion or Song of Orion when I used the MSN chatrooms five years ago. Posted a lot of bad poetry back then. **4a) Is your username gender neutral/confusing?** Mmm…no, I think the words bear a certain connotation of male-ness. **4b) Has this ever caused you problems and/or entertainment?** Not yet. I don’t imagine it will. ---
**Author:** ![Typically\_Sunday](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Typically\_Sunday](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typically_Sunday)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2005, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-your-alias-call-sign-username-handle/314778/78 "2005-07-31T00:52:39Z")
\*\*1) What’s the story behind the name you chose for yourself here? \*\* It’s a line from a song by Glassjaw, and I thought it sounded nifty. **2) Do you use it everywhere?** Just here. \*\*3) If not, what other interesting aliases do you use online? \*\* I used to go by Mitsukai back in the day when I was a big anime geek. My main screenname is an obscure Sailor Moon reference. **4a) Is your username gender neutral/confusing?** Yup. **4b) Has this ever caused you problems and/or entertainment?** Nope. ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2005, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-your-alias-call-sign-username-handle/314778/79 "2005-07-31T01:49:56Z")
My name was too hard to type in the dark on a laptop, so I looked for the simplest four letter combo. This site I used to visit had a password system that had to be typed in everytime. My nom appears on the keyboard on the same row, in this prder: R Y U O but in typing it right-handed, it felt natural to follow the pattern O U R Y. The L was added later when another site required 5 letters minimum. ---
**Author:** ![Strinka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/strinka/32/512_2.png) [@Strinka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strinka)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2005, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-your-alias-call-sign-username-handle/314778/80 "2005-07-31T02:43:08Z")
\*\*1) What’s the story behind the name you chose for yourself here? \*\* My last name. 'Tis distinctive. **2) Do you use it everywhere?** No. I use LittleStrinka in some places, because my older brother is a member as Strinka. I used to use spritely but the places I use that, I don’t visit much anymore. \*\*3) If not, what other interesting aliases do you use online? \*\* whoops. **4a) Is your username gender neutral/confusing?** No, but the afforementioned spritely was. **4b) Has this ever caused you problems and/or entertainment?** People thought I was either a girl or gay. I have no idea why. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-your-alias-call-sign-username-handle/314778.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-your-alias-call-sign-username-handle/314778.md?page=5)