Alias Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Alias, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Alias?

n. he is a person appointed by competent authority to appraise or value goods. Appraisers are sometimes appointed to assess the damage done to property, or to estimate its value when taken for public use or to evaluate the worth of a dead person’s property, etc.

History and Meaning of Alias

An alias is a name or a pseudonym used by an individual in addition to their birth name. The term comes from the Latin word "alius," meaning "other." The use of aliases dates back to ancient times when people took up different names to accomplish specific goals, such as protecting their identity, disguising themselves, or assuming the name of a higher-ranking individual.

In the legal context, an alias is often used to refer to a false name used by a defendant or a witness in court proceedings. This can be done for various reasons, such as avoiding prosecution, concealing one's identity, or safeguarding one's safety.

Examples of Alias

  1. Eve found out that her ex-husband was using an alias to evade paying child support.
  2. The famous author, Samuel Clemens, used the alias Mark Twain for his writing.
  3. Jack the Ripper, the notorious serial killer, was never identified and is believed to have used multiple aliases.

Legal Terms Similar to Alias

  1. Pseudonym - A false name used by an author or an artist.
  2. Incognito - A person who is concealing their identity, typically for a specific purpose.
  3. Nom de plume - A French term meaning "pen name." It is used to refer to a name adopted by an author for their writing.