本名(ほんみょう)

本名(ほんみょう) is a person's actual legal name, as opposed to any kind of alias, stage name, or pseudonym.

Pronunciation

Also sometimes read as ほんめい, though ほんみょう is the standard modern reading.

Common collocations

• 本名(ほんみょう)を明(あ)かす: to reveal one's real name
• 本名(ほんみょう)で活動(かつどう)する: to work under one's real name
• 本名(ほんみょう)非公開(ひこうかい): real name not disclosed
• 本名(ほんみょう)を隠(かく)す: to hide one's real name

Contrasts with other name types

• 芸名(げいめい): stage name (entertainers)
• 筆名(ひつめい) / ペンネーム: pen name (writers)
• 偽名(ぎめい): false name, alias
• ハンドルネーム: online handle/username
• 通称(つうしょう): commonly used name, nickname
• 旧姓(きゅうせい): maiden name, former surname

Usage

With the rise of the internet and social media, the concept of 本名(ほんみょう) vs. online identity has become an important topic in Japan. 本名(ほんみょう)登録(とうろく) (real-name registration) is required on some platforms.