Pen names are also known as pseudonyms, aliases, or nom de plumes. Pseudonyms are used by writers to conceal their true identities or to adopt a new persona for their writing. An alias functions similarly to a pen name, but it's often associated with a false identity used for more nefarious purposes by criminals or spies. A nom de plume is a French term meaning "pen name," and it is commonly used when referring to the use of a pen name by French writers. Regardless of what they are called, pen names have been a long-standing tradition in literature, providing authors with the freedom to express themselves freely without judgment or consequences.