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* In ''Franchise/DoctorWho'', the Master has the terrible habit of choosing names that either have "Master" in them or refer to concepts like domination and ruling in a variety of languages. Examples include "Colonel Masters", "Victor Magister", "Inspector [=LeMaitre=]", "Duke Dominus", and "Inspector Effendi".
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* In ''Franchise/DoctorWho'', the Master has the terrible habit of choosing names that either have "Master" in them or refer to concepts like domination and ruling in a variety of languages. Examples include "Colonel Masters", "Victor Magister", "Inspector [=LeMaitre=]", "Duke Dominus", and "Inspector Effendi". In a particularly chuuni example of this trope, he once indulged on it to the point of calling himself "Harcourt De'ath".
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* In ''Franchise/DoctorWho'', the Master has the terrible habit of choosing names that either have "Master" in them or refer to concepts like domination and ruling. Examples include "Colonel Masters", "Victor Magister", "Inspector [=LeMaitre=]", "Duke Dominus", and "Inspector Effendi".
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* In ''Franchise/DoctorWho'', the Master has the terrible habit of choosing names that either have "Master" in them or refer to concepts like domination and ruling.ruling in a variety of languages. Examples include "Colonel Masters", "Victor Magister", "Inspector [=LeMaitre=]", "Duke Dominus", and "Inspector Effendi".
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* In ''Franchise/DoctorWho'', the Master has the terrible habit of choosing names that either have "Master" in them or refer to concepts like domination and ruling. Examples include "Colonel Masters", "Victor Magister", "Inspector [=LeMaitre=]", "Duke Dominus", and "Inspector Effendi".
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** Making it even funnier is that Steve once became the artist for the InUniverse Captain America comic, in which, DependingOnTheWriter, the character's real name IS Roger Stevens. Steve must be lazy.
** His youthful ward ComicBook/BuckyBarnes himself used the alias "[[RealNameAsAnAlias Bucky]]" throughout World War II, though this has been retconned away since due to being too silly.
** His youthful ward ComicBook/BuckyBarnes himself used the alias "[[RealNameAsAnAlias Bucky]]" throughout World War II, though this has been retconned away since due to being too silly.
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* ''ComicBook/CaptainAmerica'': Once in the late 60s of his comic Captain America decided to head to college to get a job there as an Athletics Instructor. He, a brilliant man, veteran of countless battles and idol to millions Steve Rogers decides to go by the alias... Roger Stevens. [[NotMakingThisUpDisclaimer Really.]] It probably helps that he had convinced people at the time that Steve Rogers was a false identity.
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* In the ''WesternAnimation/BeavisAndButthead'' episode "1-900-BEAVIS", the pair call a phone sex hotline. Beavis tells Butt-Head not to use their real names.
-->'''Butt-Head:''' Uhh...I'm Beavis. And he's Butt-Head.
-->'''Butt-Head:''' Uhh...I'm Beavis. And he's Butt-Head.
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[[folder:Real Life]]
* Disgraced Boy Band Svengali/blimp entrepreneur Lou Pearlman (of Music/BackstreetBoys fame) went on the lam fleeing fraud charges shortly before he was captured. The name he used? A. Incognito Johnson. This clearly didn't help much, as he was captured shortly thereafter and sentenced to 25 years.
[[/folder]]
* Disgraced Boy Band Svengali/blimp entrepreneur Lou Pearlman (of Music/BackstreetBoys fame) went on the lam fleeing fraud charges shortly before he was captured. The name he used? A. Incognito Johnson. This clearly didn't help much, as he was captured shortly thereafter and sentenced to 25 years.
[[/folder]]
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[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
* In ''Manga/HayateTheCombatButler'''s anime adaptation Nagi's former butler Himegami shows up wearing a mask and claims his name is "Princess God" - which is just a literal translation of "Himegami".
[[/folder]]
* In ''Manga/HayateTheCombatButler'''s anime adaptation Nagi's former butler Himegami shows up wearing a mask and claims his name is "Princess God" - which is just a literal translation of "Himegami".
[[/folder]]
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* In ''Webcomic/ValAndIsaac'', Doris is accused of this, being a [=DOR15=] ('''D'''etective '''O'''r '''R'''etail, '''M'''ark '''15''') robot who goes by Doris, by her overly paranoid boss.
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* In ''Webcomic/ValAndIsaac'', Doris [[AICronym Doris]] is accused of this, being a [=DOR15=] ('''D'''etective '''O'''r '''R'''etail, '''M'''ark '''15''') robot who goes by Doris, by her [[TheParanoiac overly paranoid paranoid]] boss.
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* LineOfSightName: Naming yourself after the first thing you see.
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* LineOfSightName: LineOfSightAlias: Naming yourself after the first thing you see.
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* Spoofed in ''WebComic/BrawlInTheFamily'': meet [[http://brawlinthefamily.keenspot.com/wp-content/uploads/2008-11-12-103-Dededoo.jpg Kingsonnn Dededoo]] (totally not [[TheRival King Dedede]]). He is here to '''clean Franchise/{{Kirby}}'s clock'''. [[spoiler:[[LiteralMetaphor Literally]]. Turns out that despite all evidence to the contrary, he is '''not''' actually Dedede.]]
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* In ''Webcomic/ValAndIsaac'', Doris is accused of this, being a [=DOR15=] robot who goes by Doris, by her overly paranoid boss.
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* In ''Webcomic/ValAndIsaac'', Doris is accused of this, being a [=DOR15=] ('''D'''etective '''O'''r '''R'''etail, '''M'''ark '''15''') robot who goes by Doris, by her overly paranoid boss.
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[[/folder]]
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----
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* In ''Webcomic/TheOrderofTheStick'''s "Uncivil Servant," Belkar goes by "Ali S. Fakenamington."
* In ''WebComic/ValAndIsaac'', Doris is accused of this, being a [=DOR15=] robot who goes by Doris, by her overly paranoid boss.
* In ''WebComic/ValAndIsaac'', Doris is accused of this, being a [=DOR15=] robot who goes by Doris, by her overly paranoid boss.
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* In ''Webcomic/TheOrderofTheStick'''s ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'''s "Uncivil Servant," Belkar goes by "Ali S. Fakenamington."
* In''WebComic/ValAndIsaac'', ''Webcomic/ValAndIsaac'', Doris is accused of this, being a [=DOR15=] robot who goes by Doris, by her overly paranoid boss.
* In
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* ''VideoGame/MyLittlePonyGameloft'': In "The Last Problem" event, Lyra Heartstrings needs to disguise her and Bon Bon's identities, and claims that their names are "Harpy McCardio" and "Treatsy Realpony".
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* ''VideoGame/MyLittlePonyGameloft'': In "The Last Problem" event, Lyra Heartstrings needs to disguise her and Bon Bon's identities, and claims that their names are "Harpy McCardio" [=McCardio=]" and "Treatsy Realpony".
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* ''VideoGame/MyLittlePonyGameloft'': In "The Last Problem" event, Lyra Heartstrings needs to disguise her and Bon Bon's identities, and claims that their names are "Harpy McCardio" and "Treatsy Realpony".
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-->--''Series/TheSuiteLifeOfZackAndCody''
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Bob wants to get involved in something that he has never done before, but he doesn't want anybody to know it is him. His name is easy to recognize, so he signs up under different name. The name he uses? Fakename [=McPicklemeister=].
There are many ways for an alias to fall under this trope. It could just be the character's real name spelled [[SueDonym differently]] or [[SdrawkcabAlias backwards]]. It could just be the name of somebody they know. Or, if the character is really lazy, their alias could just be their [[RealNameAsAnAlias real name]]. Sometimes, the name [[MeaningfulName gives away the nature of the subterfuge]], making the psuedonym pointless. The name could also be just [[PunnyName too silly]] or [[AwesomeMcCoolName unusual]] to be [[WhoNamesTheirKidDude a real name]]. No matter how lazy and/or obvious the name is to the audience, their fake name still manages to fool the most of the other characters in-universe. Maybe it works because they don't actually make a physical appearance, or maybe their alias includes a disguise to conceal who they are.
There are many ways for an alias to fall under this trope. It could just be the character's real name spelled [[SueDonym differently]] or [[SdrawkcabAlias backwards]]. It could just be the name of somebody they know. Or, if the character is really lazy, their alias could just be their [[RealNameAsAnAlias real name]]. Sometimes, the name [[MeaningfulName gives away the nature of the subterfuge]], making the psuedonym pointless. The name could also be just [[PunnyName too silly]] or [[AwesomeMcCoolName unusual]] to be [[WhoNamesTheirKidDude a real name]]. No matter how lazy and/or obvious the name is to the audience, their fake name still manages to fool the most of the other characters in-universe. Maybe it works because they don't actually make a physical appearance, or maybe their alias includes a disguise to conceal who they are.
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Bob wants to get involved in something that he has never done before, but he doesn't want anybody to know it is him. His name is easy to recognize, so he signs up under a different name. The name he uses? Fakename [=McPicklemeister=].
There are many ways for an alias to fall under this trope. It could just be the character's real name spelled [[SueDonym differently]] or [[SdrawkcabAlias backwards]]. It could just be the name of somebody they know. Or, if the character is really lazy, their alias could just be their [[RealNameAsAnAlias real name]]. Sometimes, the name [[MeaningfulName gives away the nature of the subterfuge]], making thepsuedonym pseudonym pointless. The name could also be just [[PunnyName too silly]] or [[AwesomeMcCoolName unusual]] to be [[WhoNamesTheirKidDude a real name]]. No matter how lazy and/or obvious the name is to the audience, their fake name still manages to fool the most of the other characters in-universe. Maybe it works because they don't actually make a physical appearance, or maybe their alias includes a disguise to conceal who they are.
There are many ways for an alias to fall under this trope. It could just be the character's real name spelled [[SueDonym differently]] or [[SdrawkcabAlias backwards]]. It could just be the name of somebody they know. Or, if the character is really lazy, their alias could just be their [[RealNameAsAnAlias real name]]. Sometimes, the name [[MeaningfulName gives away the nature of the subterfuge]], making the
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* In ''Film/{{Superbad}}'', Fogell get a fake ID with the obviously fake name "[=McLOVIN=]", no last name. He proceeds to get caught by the cops, who pretend to believe his alias and refer to him as "[=McLOVIN=]". In fact, they see right through his lie but pretend to go along with it because they want him to think they're cool.
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* In ''Film/{{Superbad}}'', Fogell get gets a fake ID with the obviously fake name "[=McLOVIN=]", no last name. He proceeds to get caught by the cops, who pretend to believe his alias and refer to him as "[=McLOVIN=]". In fact, they see right through his lie but pretend to go along with it because they want him to think they're cool.
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[[folder:Live Action TV]]
* ''Series/DrakeAndJosh'': In "Steered Straight", when Drake makes fake-[=IDs=] for himself and Josh, he chooses the names "Jefferson Steelflex" for Josh and "Alvin Yakatori" for himself. Later on in the episode they end up [[ItMakesSenseInContext stuck with a criminal]], who also thinks ''they're'' criminals. When he asks who they are, they use the fake names again. Miraculously, the criminal buys it.
* ''Series/DrakeAndJosh'': In "Steered Straight", when Drake makes fake-[=IDs=] for himself and Josh, he chooses the names "Jefferson Steelflex" for Josh and "Alvin Yakatori" for himself. Later on in the episode they end up [[ItMakesSenseInContext stuck with a criminal]], who also thinks ''they're'' criminals. When he asks who they are, they use the fake names again. Miraculously, the criminal buys it.
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* ''Series/DrakeAndJosh'': In "Steered Straight", when Drake makes fake-[=IDs=] for himself and Josh, he chooses the names "Jefferson Steelflex" for Josh and "Alvin Yakatori" for himself. Later on in the
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** In the ''WebAnimation/StrongBadEmail'' "Secret Identity", Strong Bad discusses various aliases he goes under starting with Tip Tappers. An EasterEgg reveals some of the other cast to also have some lazy aliases that the audience is easily able look at and figure out who is who.
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** In the ''WebAnimation/StrongBadEmail'' "Secret Identity", Strong Bad discusses various aliases he goes under starting with Tip Tappers. An EasterEgg reveals some of the other cast to also have some lazy aliases that the audience is easily able to look at and figure out who is who.
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* ''WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants'': In one episode, Spongebob is attempting to get into Pearl's girls only slumber party. What appears to obviously be Spongebob dressed as a girl tries to get into the party using the name "Girly Teengirl". As in the Simpsons example above, it is not really him.
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* ''WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants'': In one episode, Spongebob is attempting to get into Pearl's girls only girls-only slumber party. What appears to obviously be Spongebob dressed as a girl tries to get into the party using the name "Girly Teengirl". As in the Simpsons example above, it is not really him.
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These aliases are often used in PrankCall{{s}}. Typically the recipient of the call figures out the name is fake, but can't trace it to a person due to only hearing them.
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These aliases are often used in PrankCall{{s}}.{{Prank Call}}s. Typically the recipient of the call figures out the name is fake, but can't trace it to a person due to only hearing them.
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* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'': In the episode "Friendship University", Rarity comes up with some {{Paper Thin Disguise}}s for her and Twilight to investigate Flim and Flam's academy and includes nicknames for them. Rarity ends up being known as Plainity, and Twilight's alias is Eyepatch since [[CaptainObvious she has an eyepatch]].
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* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'': In the episode "Friendship University", Rarity comes up with some {{Paper Thin Disguise}}s for her and Twilight to investigate Flim and Flam's academy and includes nicknames for them. Rarity ends up being known as Plainity, and Twilight's alias is Eyepatch since [[CaptainObvious she has an eyepatch]].eyepatch.
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* In ''Film/AvengersEndgame'', [[spoiler:when Tony travels back in time (ItsALongStory) to retreive the Space Stone, he is suddenly encountered by a past version of his future father Howard Stark and when the latter ask his name, Tony hesitated to come up with a fake name before introducing himself as "Howard Potts". Howard is surprisingly accepting of the name as it just makes it easier for him to remember. "Potts" is Tony's wife's surname, making this a double example.]].
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* In ''Film/AvengersEndgame'', [[spoiler:when when Tony travels [[spoiler:travels back in time (ItsALongStory) to retreive retrieve the Space Stone, Stone]], he is suddenly encountered by a [[spoiler:a past version of his future father Howard Stark Stark]], and when the latter ask asks his name, Tony hesitated hesitates to come up with a fake name before introducing himself as "Howard Potts". Howard [[spoiler:"Howard Potts", using his father's given name and the surname of his wife, Pepper. Howard]] is surprisingly accepting of the name as it just makes it easier for him to remember. "Potts" is Tony's wife's surname, making this a double example.]].remember.
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* In ''Film/AvengersEndgame'', [[spoiler:when Tony travels back in time (ItsALongStory) to retreive the Space Stone, he is suddenly encountered by a past version of his future father Howard Stark and when the latter ask his name, Tony hesitated to come up with a fake name before introducing himself as "Howard Potts". Howard is surprisingly accepting of the name as it just makes it easier for him to remember]].
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* In ''Film/AvengersEndgame'', [[spoiler:when Tony travels back in time (ItsALongStory) to retreive the Space Stone, he is suddenly encountered by a past version of his future father Howard Stark and when the latter ask his name, Tony hesitated to come up with a fake name before introducing himself as "Howard Potts". Howard is surprisingly accepting of the name as it just makes it easier for him to remember]].remember. "Potts" is Tony's wife's surname, making this a double example.]].
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minor spelling error
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* ''WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants'': In one episode, Spongebob is attempting to get into Pearl's girls only slumber party. What appears to obviously be Spongebob dresses as a girl tries to get into the party using the name "Girly Teengirl". As in the Simpsons example above, it is not really him.
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* ''WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants'': In one episode, Spongebob is attempting to get into Pearl's girls only slumber party. What appears to obviously be Spongebob dresses dressed as a girl tries to get into the party using the name "Girly Teengirl". As in the Simpsons example above, it is not really him.
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[[folder:Fan Works]]
* ''Fanfic/TheNewAdventuresOfInvaderZim'': Near the end of Season 1, Zim crafts a [[MalevolentMaskedMen new secretive identity]] for himself as part of his plan to [[spoiler: [[TheStarscream start a revolution against the Tallest]]]], and for the name of this new identity settles on "Miz". When called out on how obvious it is, he says that that's the point, as [[RefugeInAudacity no one would expect him to use something that obvious]] -- and as Season 2 shows, he's right, due to a combination of that fact and [[BeneathSuspicion no one thinking he's capable of pulling off "Miz's" acts]].
[[/folder]]
* ''Fanfic/TheNewAdventuresOfInvaderZim'': Near the end of Season 1, Zim crafts a [[MalevolentMaskedMen new secretive identity]] for himself as part of his plan to [[spoiler: [[TheStarscream start a revolution against the Tallest]]]], and for the name of this new identity settles on "Miz". When called out on how obvious it is, he says that that's the point, as [[RefugeInAudacity no one would expect him to use something that obvious]] -- and as Season 2 shows, he's right, due to a combination of that fact and [[BeneathSuspicion no one thinking he's capable of pulling off "Miz's" acts]].
[[/folder]]
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* "Genya Arikado" from the ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaChroniclesOfSorrow'' games. It's basically just Alucard pronouncing his name in Japanese.
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* ''WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants'': In one episode, Spongebob is attempting to get into Pearl's girls only slumber party. What appears to obviously be Spongebob dresses as a girl tries to get into the party using the name "Girly Teengirl". As in the Simpsons example above, it is not really him.
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* In ''Webcomic/TheOrderofTheStick'''s "Uncivil Servant," Belkar goes by "Ali S. Fakenamington."
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* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'': In the episode "Friendship University", Rarity comes up with some {{Paper-Thin Disguise}}s for her and Twilight to investigate Flim and Flam's academy and includes nicknames for them. Rarity ends up being known as Plainity, and Twilight's alias is Eyepatch since [[CaptainObvious she has an eyepatch]].
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* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'': In the episode "Friendship University", Rarity comes up with some {{Paper-Thin {{Paper Thin Disguise}}s for her and Twilight to investigate Flim and Flam's academy and includes nicknames for them. Rarity ends up being known as Plainity, and Twilight's alias is Eyepatch since [[CaptainObvious she has an eyepatch]].
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* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'': In the episode "Friendship University", Rarity comes up with some {{Paper Thin Disguise}}s for her and Twilight to investigate Flim and Flam's academy and includes nicknames for them. Rarity ends up being known as Plainity, and Twilight's alias is Eyepatch since [[CaptainObvious she has an eyepatch]].
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* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'': In the episode "Friendship University", Rarity comes up with some {{Paper Thin {{Paper-Thin Disguise}}s for her and Twilight to investigate Flim and Flam's academy and includes nicknames for them. Rarity ends up being known as Plainity, and Twilight's alias is Eyepatch since [[CaptainObvious she has an eyepatch]].
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[[/folder]]
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Indexes: NamingConventions, IndexFailure, QuoteSource.LiveActionTV, ComedyTropes
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Indexes: NamingConventions, IndexFailure, QuoteSource.LiveActionTV, ComedyTropes
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Indexes: NamingConventions, IndexFailure, QuoteSource.LiveActionTV, ComedyTropes
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-> '''Cody:''' I'm Wing Lee. Who are you?
-> '''Zack:''' Cody Martin.
-> '''Cody:''' ... I hate you.
-->--''Series/TheSuiteLifeOfZackAndCody''
Bob wants to get involved in something that he has never done before, but he doesn't want anybody to know it is him. His name is easy to recognize, so he signs up under different name. The name he uses? Fakename [=McPicklemeister=].
There are many ways for an alias to fall under this trope. It could just be the character's real name spelled [[SueDonym differently]] or [[SdrawkcabAlias backwards]]. It could just be the name of somebody they know. Or, if the character is really lazy, their alias could just be their [[RealNameAsAnAlias real name]]. Sometimes, the name [[MeaningfulName gives away the nature of the subterfuge]], making the psuedonym pointless. The name could also be just [[PunnyName too silly]] or [[AwesomeMcCoolName unusual]] to be [[WhoNamesTheirKidDude a real name]]. No matter how lazy and/or obvious the name is to the audience, their fake name still manages to fool the most of the other characters in-universe. Maybe it works because they don't actually make a physical appearance, or maybe their alias includes a disguise to conceal who they are.
These aliases are often used in PrankCall{{s}}. Typically the recipient of the call figures out the name is fake, but can't trace it to a person due to only hearing them.
It also likely works because they presenting themselves to people who don't know them personally. If such is the case, expect the whole thing to fall apart when somebody who does know them and hears the alias [[SpannerInTheWorks shows up and reveals who they really are]], either because their alias sounds like only something they would come up with or they saw them stand up when the alias was called.
Not the same as PaperThinDisguise, though the two can occur at the same time. Compare and contrast AtrociousAlias, when a character chooses an embarrassing name for their secret identity. The character who chooses such a name may be a GiverOfLameNames.
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!!Subtropes
[[index]]
*CharacterNameAlias: Choosing a fictional character or celebrity for your fake identity.
*LineOfSightName: Naming yourself after the first thing you see.
*LouisCypher: When a God or Devil's name gives their nature away.
*RealNameAsAnAlias: Picking your own name as an alias.
*SdrawkcabAlias: An alias that is your own name, but backwards.
*SueDonym: Your real name, but pronounced or spelled slightly differently.
[[/index]]
!!Examples
[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder:Comic Books]]
* In ''ComicBook/AstroCity'', Samaritan uses the alias Asa Martin in order to maintain a cover identity. Granted, he only bothers with the civilian identity because he needs regular access to an Internet connection in order to run the alien computer that keeps him up-to-date with the world's crises.
%%* ''ComicBook/JusticeLeague'': In one issue, the Martian Manhunter disguises himself as a female Japanese reporter named Rei Hino. Unfortunately, this happens to be the name of one of the main characters in ''Franchise/SailorMoon'' ([[http://sailormoonnews.com/2012/12/28/did-batman-read-sailor-moon/batman_calls_out_martian_manhunter_hino_rei_full_page/ pointed out by Batman of all people]]).
* ''ComicBook/TheKiller'': The Killer complains about this when his employers give him a passport with the name "Labataille" for a particular job. They thought they were being cute, but he points out that it's [[PunnyName too obvious]], although he still manages to slip through customs.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Film]]
* In ''Film/AvengersEndgame'', [[spoiler:when Tony travels back in time (ItsALongStory) to retreive the Space Stone, he is suddenly encountered by a past version of his future father Howard Stark and when the latter ask his name, Tony hesitated to come up with a fake name before introducing himself as "Howard Potts". Howard is surprisingly accepting of the name as it just makes it easier for him to remember]].
* In ''Film/{{Superbad}}'', Fogell get a fake ID with the obviously fake name "[=McLOVIN=]", no last name. He proceeds to get caught by the cops, who pretend to believe his alias and refer to him as "[=McLOVIN=]". In fact, they see right through his lie but pretend to go along with it because they want him to think they're cool.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Literature]]
* ''Literature/{{Dortmunder}}'': In an early short story, Dortmunder is forced to make up an alias under pressure and the best he can come up with is the very silly-sounding "John Diddums". He eventually comes to like the alias and continues to use it as his go-to alias in subsequent stories.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Live Action TV]]
* ''Series/DrakeAndJosh'': In "Steered Straight", when Drake makes fake-[=IDs=] for himself and Josh, he chooses the names "Jefferson Steelflex" for Josh and "Alvin Yakatori" for himself. Later on in the episode they end up [[ItMakesSenseInContext stuck with a criminal]], who also thinks ''they're'' criminals. When he asks who they are, they use the fake names again. Miraculously, the criminal buys it.
* ''Series/TheSuiteLifeOfZackAndCody'': In one episode, Zack and Cody cut school and go to the mall where they enter a contest. Cody doesn't want to use their real names though so they come up with aliases. Cody enters under the alias "Wing Lee". What alias does Zack enter under? "Cody Martin". The alias works until their mom finds out.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Video Games]]
* Defied in ''VideoGame/Mother3''. At one point, your characters adapt aliases. If the [[HelloInsertNameHere names you gave your characters]] are similar to what their alias would have been, [[DevelopersForesight the game provides them a different alias]].
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Web Animation]]
* ''WebAnimation/HomestarRunner''
** In the ''WebAnimation/StrongBadEmail'' "Secret Identity", Strong Bad discusses various aliases he goes under starting with Tip Tappers. An EasterEgg reveals some of the other cast to also have some lazy aliases that the audience is easily able look at and figure out who is who.
** Strong Bad chooses some pretty outlandish names for his personas when prank-calling Marizpan, such as Professor Tor Coolguy, Constable Anybody, and Dean Prankcaller. They're usually thematically linked to the nature of the prank.
** When Strong Bad gives Homestar a lesson in prank-calling, he fails even in the minimal alias requirements needed to prank-call someone. In his first attempt, he gives [[RealNameAsAnAlias his own name]], then he uses Strong Bad's name for the second attempt, and the name he finally settles on, "Sugarface", is even less realistic than the ones Strong Bad usually chooses.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Web Comics]]
* In ''WebComic/ValAndIsaac'', Doris is accused of this, being a [=DOR15=] robot who goes by Doris, by her overly paranoid boss.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Western Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/BojackHorseman'': Suave adult businessman Vincent Adultman is actually a kid named Kevin in a TotemPoleTrench. The name Adultman underlines the obviousness of the impersonation, but nobody notices that Vincent is three kids in a trench coat except for Bojack, who everyone ignores.
* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'': In the episode "Friendship University", Rarity comes up with some {{Paper Thin Disguise}}s for her and Twilight to investigate Flim and Flam's academy and includes nicknames for them. Rarity ends up being known as Plainity, and Twilight's alias is Eyepatch since [[CaptainObvious she has an eyepatch]].
* ''WesternAnimation/RickAndMorty'' had a vampire who was sucking blood from victims at Morty and Summer's school and went by the name "Coach Feratu" (real name Balik Alistaine) until he was killed by Tiny Rick, Morty, and Summer. When the vampire leader learns his code name, this exchange happens, which leads to the leader asking if this order makes him a buzzkill or not before sinking his teeth into a woman's neck, deciding it does not:
-->'''Vampire Leader''': (angrily) Why the fuck would he name himself after a famous vampire movie?! Was he doing a bit?!
-->'''Assistant:''' I do not know, your unholiness.
-->'''Vampire Leader:''' Jesus fucking Christ. from now on, no more of this clever name bullshit! When a vampire's trying to be human, they can just call themselves "Allen Jefferson", or something like that.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'': In one episode, Homer is kicked out of Moe's tavern. His efforts to find a new bar to hang out at end in vain. We then cut to what appears to be Homer in disguise trying to get back into Moe's, with the name of "Guy Incognito". {{Subverted|Trope}} when it is revealed that Guy is not actually Homer when the real Homer steps in and notices Guy having been thrown out.
[[/folder]]
----
Indexes: NamingConventions, IndexFailure, QuoteSource.LiveActionTV, ComedyTropes
-> '''Zack:''' Cody Martin.
-> '''Cody:''' ... I hate you.
-->--''Series/TheSuiteLifeOfZackAndCody''
Bob wants to get involved in something that he has never done before, but he doesn't want anybody to know it is him. His name is easy to recognize, so he signs up under different name. The name he uses? Fakename [=McPicklemeister=].
There are many ways for an alias to fall under this trope. It could just be the character's real name spelled [[SueDonym differently]] or [[SdrawkcabAlias backwards]]. It could just be the name of somebody they know. Or, if the character is really lazy, their alias could just be their [[RealNameAsAnAlias real name]]. Sometimes, the name [[MeaningfulName gives away the nature of the subterfuge]], making the psuedonym pointless. The name could also be just [[PunnyName too silly]] or [[AwesomeMcCoolName unusual]] to be [[WhoNamesTheirKidDude a real name]]. No matter how lazy and/or obvious the name is to the audience, their fake name still manages to fool the most of the other characters in-universe. Maybe it works because they don't actually make a physical appearance, or maybe their alias includes a disguise to conceal who they are.
These aliases are often used in PrankCall{{s}}. Typically the recipient of the call figures out the name is fake, but can't trace it to a person due to only hearing them.
It also likely works because they presenting themselves to people who don't know them personally. If such is the case, expect the whole thing to fall apart when somebody who does know them and hears the alias [[SpannerInTheWorks shows up and reveals who they really are]], either because their alias sounds like only something they would come up with or they saw them stand up when the alias was called.
Not the same as PaperThinDisguise, though the two can occur at the same time. Compare and contrast AtrociousAlias, when a character chooses an embarrassing name for their secret identity. The character who chooses such a name may be a GiverOfLameNames.
----
!!Subtropes
[[index]]
*CharacterNameAlias: Choosing a fictional character or celebrity for your fake identity.
*LineOfSightName: Naming yourself after the first thing you see.
*LouisCypher: When a God or Devil's name gives their nature away.
*RealNameAsAnAlias: Picking your own name as an alias.
*SdrawkcabAlias: An alias that is your own name, but backwards.
*SueDonym: Your real name, but pronounced or spelled slightly differently.
[[/index]]
!!Examples
[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder:Comic Books]]
* In ''ComicBook/AstroCity'', Samaritan uses the alias Asa Martin in order to maintain a cover identity. Granted, he only bothers with the civilian identity because he needs regular access to an Internet connection in order to run the alien computer that keeps him up-to-date with the world's crises.
%%* ''ComicBook/JusticeLeague'': In one issue, the Martian Manhunter disguises himself as a female Japanese reporter named Rei Hino. Unfortunately, this happens to be the name of one of the main characters in ''Franchise/SailorMoon'' ([[http://sailormoonnews.com/2012/12/28/did-batman-read-sailor-moon/batman_calls_out_martian_manhunter_hino_rei_full_page/ pointed out by Batman of all people]]).
* ''ComicBook/TheKiller'': The Killer complains about this when his employers give him a passport with the name "Labataille" for a particular job. They thought they were being cute, but he points out that it's [[PunnyName too obvious]], although he still manages to slip through customs.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Film]]
* In ''Film/AvengersEndgame'', [[spoiler:when Tony travels back in time (ItsALongStory) to retreive the Space Stone, he is suddenly encountered by a past version of his future father Howard Stark and when the latter ask his name, Tony hesitated to come up with a fake name before introducing himself as "Howard Potts". Howard is surprisingly accepting of the name as it just makes it easier for him to remember]].
* In ''Film/{{Superbad}}'', Fogell get a fake ID with the obviously fake name "[=McLOVIN=]", no last name. He proceeds to get caught by the cops, who pretend to believe his alias and refer to him as "[=McLOVIN=]". In fact, they see right through his lie but pretend to go along with it because they want him to think they're cool.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Literature]]
* ''Literature/{{Dortmunder}}'': In an early short story, Dortmunder is forced to make up an alias under pressure and the best he can come up with is the very silly-sounding "John Diddums". He eventually comes to like the alias and continues to use it as his go-to alias in subsequent stories.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Live Action TV]]
* ''Series/DrakeAndJosh'': In "Steered Straight", when Drake makes fake-[=IDs=] for himself and Josh, he chooses the names "Jefferson Steelflex" for Josh and "Alvin Yakatori" for himself. Later on in the episode they end up [[ItMakesSenseInContext stuck with a criminal]], who also thinks ''they're'' criminals. When he asks who they are, they use the fake names again. Miraculously, the criminal buys it.
* ''Series/TheSuiteLifeOfZackAndCody'': In one episode, Zack and Cody cut school and go to the mall where they enter a contest. Cody doesn't want to use their real names though so they come up with aliases. Cody enters under the alias "Wing Lee". What alias does Zack enter under? "Cody Martin". The alias works until their mom finds out.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Video Games]]
* Defied in ''VideoGame/Mother3''. At one point, your characters adapt aliases. If the [[HelloInsertNameHere names you gave your characters]] are similar to what their alias would have been, [[DevelopersForesight the game provides them a different alias]].
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Web Animation]]
* ''WebAnimation/HomestarRunner''
** In the ''WebAnimation/StrongBadEmail'' "Secret Identity", Strong Bad discusses various aliases he goes under starting with Tip Tappers. An EasterEgg reveals some of the other cast to also have some lazy aliases that the audience is easily able look at and figure out who is who.
** Strong Bad chooses some pretty outlandish names for his personas when prank-calling Marizpan, such as Professor Tor Coolguy, Constable Anybody, and Dean Prankcaller. They're usually thematically linked to the nature of the prank.
** When Strong Bad gives Homestar a lesson in prank-calling, he fails even in the minimal alias requirements needed to prank-call someone. In his first attempt, he gives [[RealNameAsAnAlias his own name]], then he uses Strong Bad's name for the second attempt, and the name he finally settles on, "Sugarface", is even less realistic than the ones Strong Bad usually chooses.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Web Comics]]
* In ''WebComic/ValAndIsaac'', Doris is accused of this, being a [=DOR15=] robot who goes by Doris, by her overly paranoid boss.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Western Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/BojackHorseman'': Suave adult businessman Vincent Adultman is actually a kid named Kevin in a TotemPoleTrench. The name Adultman underlines the obviousness of the impersonation, but nobody notices that Vincent is three kids in a trench coat except for Bojack, who everyone ignores.
* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'': In the episode "Friendship University", Rarity comes up with some {{Paper Thin Disguise}}s for her and Twilight to investigate Flim and Flam's academy and includes nicknames for them. Rarity ends up being known as Plainity, and Twilight's alias is Eyepatch since [[CaptainObvious she has an eyepatch]].
* ''WesternAnimation/RickAndMorty'' had a vampire who was sucking blood from victims at Morty and Summer's school and went by the name "Coach Feratu" (real name Balik Alistaine) until he was killed by Tiny Rick, Morty, and Summer. When the vampire leader learns his code name, this exchange happens, which leads to the leader asking if this order makes him a buzzkill or not before sinking his teeth into a woman's neck, deciding it does not:
-->'''Vampire Leader''': (angrily) Why the fuck would he name himself after a famous vampire movie?! Was he doing a bit?!
-->'''Assistant:''' I do not know, your unholiness.
-->'''Vampire Leader:''' Jesus fucking Christ. from now on, no more of this clever name bullshit! When a vampire's trying to be human, they can just call themselves "Allen Jefferson", or something like that.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'': In one episode, Homer is kicked out of Moe's tavern. His efforts to find a new bar to hang out at end in vain. We then cut to what appears to be Homer in disguise trying to get back into Moe's, with the name of "Guy Incognito". {{Subverted|Trope}} when it is revealed that Guy is not actually Homer when the real Homer steps in and notices Guy having been thrown out.
[[/folder]]
----
Indexes: NamingConventions, IndexFailure, QuoteSource.LiveActionTV, ComedyTropes
