government name

plural government names

1. One's (partial or full) legal name, as opposed to one's nickname or street name; one's government-recognized name.

   When the Neil-looking white dude answered the phone, Sam called him by his government name and said, “What's up, Benny? I haven't heard from you.”

   2012, Main D, Mo Money Mo Power, Xlibris Corporation, →ISBN, page 101

   4 more examples

   One of the most prominent tribal chiefs of the South, the late Chief Jambo of the Moru tribe, once remarked, when he was asked by his tribe how he came to acquire the Muslim name of Ibrahim, that it was his 'government name'.

   1981, Bona Malwal, People & power in Sudan: the struggle for national stability, page 60

   Operation Ivy was formed in Berkeley, California, during the summer of 1987 by guitarist Lint (who would become better known under his government name, Tim Armstrong), bassist Matt Freeman, drummer Dave Mello, and […]

   2007, Matt Diehl, My So-Called Punk: Green Day, Fall Out Boy, The Distillers, Bad Religion---How Neo-Punk Stage-Dived Into the Mainstream, Macmillan, →ISBN, page 5

   “Excuse me, Mr. Prince!” No sooner had the officer called him by his government name than Pistol G had drawn his pistol. Eight words made him stop. “Mr. Rosalini would like to speak with you.” Prince couldn't believe what he'd just heard.

   2012, Sherard H. Adams, The Prince of Pentium: A Life of a Hustler and a Computer Hacker, Trafford Publishing, →ISBN, page 123

   Now, by no means is any rapper, performer or entertainer expected or obligated to build their career and perform under their government name. Many rappers and performers use names that are more catchy and clever-sounding […]

   2019, Kolie Crutcher, Rick Ross, The 21 KEYS Of Success: Ridin’ With Rick, Kolie Crutcher, →ISBN, page 165

   Synonyms: legal name, wallet name