formerly known as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formerly known as" is correct and usable in written English.
It is commonly used when introducing someone's previous name or identity, such as when a celebrity has changed their legal name, or a company has recently rebranded. For example: "Rihanna, formerly known as Robyn Fenty, is a singer and music producer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Who: Prince (the artist formerly known as the Artist Formerly Known as Prince).

Los Angeles Times

The territory was formerly known as Ubangi-Shari.

The New Yorker

(It was formerly known as Hangzhou Academy).

The New York Times - Arts

B) "The nation formerly known as rogue".

The New York Times

Ittoqqortoormiit (formerly known as Scoresbysund) is remote.

The Guardian - Travel

"Our son is Abdul Rahman, formerly known as Peter".

The New Yorker

KBW was formerly known as Keefe Bruyette & Woods.

The New York Times

Gleevec, formerly known as STI-571, is made by Novartis.

The New York Times

FKA in her stage name stands for "formerly known as".

The Guardian - Music

Establish a wireless connection formerly known as the hug.

The New York Times

Take the latter, formerly known as immigration policy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "formerly known as" when you want to clearly indicate a previous name or identity, especially when the current name is the primary focus.

Common error

Avoid using "formerly known as" when referring to a current alias or nickname. The phrase implies a legal or official name change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formerly known as" functions as a descriptive modifier. Ludwig and Ludwig AI's analysis suggests it is utilized to provide additional information about a subject by indicating its previous designation or identity. This helps in clarifying changes in names, titles, or affiliations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "formerly known as" correctly and effectively indicates a previous name or identity, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a descriptive modifier to provide clarity and historical context. Its usage is common across diverse fields such as news, science, and encyclopedias. While grammatically straightforward, its correct usage involves understanding its temporal implications—referring to a legal or official name change rather than a current alias. Consider alternative phrases like "originally known as" or "previously known as" to add nuance or emphasis to your writing. The phrase is versatile, finding use in describing people, places, organizations, and concepts, making it a valuable tool for clear and concise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

originally known as

Focuses on the origin and initial designation rather than a change.

previously known as

Emphasizes a past identity without necessarily implying a recent change.

erstwhile known as

A more archaic or literary alternative, suitable for formal contexts.

once called

Simpler phrasing that highlights a name change.

used to be called

Informal and conversational way to indicate a past name.

by its former name

Highlights the name change but doesn't specify it directly.

at one time known as

More emphatic way to indicate that the name was used in the past.

previously identified as

More focused on identification and less on direct naming.

in its earlier incarnation

Describes a prior version or state rather than a specific name.

before the name change

Emphasizes that the change already took place in the past.

FAQs

How do I use "formerly known as" in a sentence?

Use "formerly known as" to introduce a past name or title, like "The Artist ("formerly known as Prince") released a new album".

What phrases are similar to "formerly known as"?

Similar phrases include "previously known as", "originally known as", or "used to be called", each with slight nuances.

When should I use "formerly known as" instead of "previously known as"?

Both phrases are largely interchangeable. "Formerly known as" may subtly emphasize a more distant past, while "previously known as" suggests a more recent past identity.

Can "formerly known as" be used for anything other than names of people?

Yes, it can also be used for places, organizations, or concepts that have undergone a name change, such as "Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa was "formerly known as" the North-West Frontier Province".