aka

USAGE SUMMARY

"aka" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an abbreviation for "also known as," and it is mainly used to introduce an alternate name or title for a person or thing. For example, "Mark, aka The Man with the Plan, is the most organized person I know."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They have just unveiled their fancy new website, which gives us a good excuse to show off some of their work: The 50 best prospects in French football (AKA one for the hipsters).

The Guardian - Sport

If you're after louche lightness from your indie then the new single from Ducktails, aka Real Estate's Matt Mondanile, should be aptly ambient after the disconcerting Daughn Gibson.

The Guardian - Music

Changes to unemployment benefits AKA "earn or learn" – blocked and sidelined Unemployed people under 30 would only be able to claim Newstart or Youth Allowance for six months of the year, and would have to take part in 25 hours a week of work-for-the dole programs if not studying or training.

The Guardian

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 5.14pm AEST06:14 It's Pizza guy by Touch Sensitive at 38, AKA the one with all the other Aussie dance stars in the video.

The Guardian

Thongs (aka flip-flops) melted and petrol pumps were turned off to stop fuel vaporising.

The Guardian

I instantly recognised Dave Prowse, aka the Dark Lord himself, clambering into the familiar black costume.

The Guardian - Film

The star of The Amazing Spider-Man, Andrew Garfield, was caught up in a media storm last week after denying he scuppered a planned Oscars appearance for five-year-old American cancer survivor Miles Scott, aka "Batkid".

The Guardian - Film

The Xbox 360 (aka the Xbox 2) and its successor the Xbox One (aka the Xbox 3) are proof that Microsoft is happy to throw out conventional numbering when it feels like it.

The Guardian - Tech

Strychnine, made from the seeds of the south-east Asian Nux vomica tree, was equally fashionable, as – in the Middle Ages – was atropine, aka belladonna or deadly nightshade: the juice of a few berries could be lethal.

The Guardian

So let us not dwell on the fact that Qbic guests get to spend the night in a "cube-shaped living box" (aka a "room") or that some of these don't have angular holes in the wall (aka windows) and focus instead on the things this hotel gets right.

The Guardian - Travel

Dan Toombs, AKA the Curry Guy, who we encountered in our adventures in chicken tikka masala, wisely blanches the leaves first, then squeezes them dry before stirring them in at the end, which both keeps the dish dry, and means that you don't overcook the veg.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "aka" to provide a more familiar or commonly known name after introducing a less known or formal one. This can improve clarity and reader engagement.

Common error

Avoid using "aka" excessively within a single piece of writing. If a subject has multiple alternate names, choose the most relevant one or two to avoid clutter and maintain readability.

Linguistic Context

The abbreviation "aka" functions as a connector or appositive introducer, providing an alternative name or description for a noun or proper noun. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where "aka" links a less familiar name to a more widely recognized one.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The abbreviation "aka", short for "also known as", is a very common term used to introduce an alternative name or title, as affirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a connector to provide clarity and additional information, typically found in neutral to informal contexts like news and media. While grammatically correct, it's best to avoid overusing "aka" in formal writing, opting for the full phrase "also known as" instead. Ludwig AI provides many examples of correct usage, demonstrating its widespread application in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

also known as

This is the full form of the abbreviation, offering a more formal tone.

otherwise known as

Similar to "also known as" but can imply a slightly less common or formal name.

also called

A simpler and more direct way to indicate an alternate name.

or

In some contexts, "or" can serve the same purpose, especially when listing alternatives.

in other words

Used when providing an alternative name or description to clarify something.

by another name

Emphasizes that the subject is referred to differently in some contexts.

alternatively named

A more formal and somewhat less common way to introduce an alternate name.

designated as

Suggests a formal or official designation of an alternate name.

dubbed

Implies a more informal or colloquial naming, often used for nicknames.

identified as

Indicates that something is recognized or known under a different name or description.

FAQs

What does "aka" stand for?

"Aka" stands for "also known as" and is used to introduce an alternative name or title for a person or thing.

How do I use "aka" in a sentence?

Use "aka" after the original name to introduce a more commonly known name. For example, "Real Estate's Matt Mondanile, "aka Ducktails", released a new single."

When should I use "aka" instead of "also known as"?

"Aka" is suitable for informal writing or when brevity is important. "Also known as" is more appropriate for formal or academic contexts. It depends on register.

What are some alternatives to "aka"?

Alternatives include "also known as", "otherwise known as", or "also called" depending on the context.