Nicknames and Pseudonyms: What is one's motivation behind the choice?

Question:

Nicknames and Pseudonyms: What is one's motivation behind the choice?

Some name themselves after Sumerian Kings and Gods (wink!). Others gave themselves funky modern names after certain music icons.

What is the significance behind these choices?

Is it simply the desire to summarize themselves into a simplified symbolism to represent who they are? Or give a hint as to their life's philosophies?

Why does one feel the necessity to have names other than their real ones?

I'd very much like to know your take, please. And have fun with this one!

Additional Details

1 week ago
RaaN: Yes, I do understand how convenient anonymity is in allowing a person to express their thoughts and opinions in all honesty and forthrightness without being a certain and visible target of negativity. Thanks.

So_cybored: Interesting choice, rather enigmatic, if I may say so. Thanks

YD: Yes, the name is a peculiar thing, where it is one of those aspects in life willed upon us without our having the opportunity to have a say in the matter, despite it being something so defining as to our characters. Hence the reason some are compelled to re-define themselves by having aliases, I believe.

RayRay: Ah, certainly. To some this would not seem to be an issue at all but simply a matter of convenience. I do realize how the vantage point is different with everyone, hence my question. I simply wanted to know and appreciate diversified opinions. And thank you, for yours.

1 week ago
LoneRanger: Authors are probably the ones to benefit most from pseudonyms. We might live right next to them and not know that they actually have dozens of bestsellers under their belts. And thanks for reminding me that we do not normally choose our own nicknames!

Guru: You offered some, umm, different and rather insightful viewpoints as to the psychology behind those dissatisfied with their original names. Thank you.

Shai Shammai: The name as a symbolic representation of the self or what their little philosophies are. I think a lot of the screen names I read here are chosen for those reasons too. And just so you??d know, Shahrizat really IS my birth name. And I wear it like a badge! It gave me some trouble at school at first, because even here where I live, the name is considered strange. It actually means ??a city person?? in Persian.

1 week ago
Stars in my Eyes: Formally Starman, am I correct?  I can guess from some of your q??s that you chose your screen name because of your affinity with astronomy. Power to you! And yes, we do give endearing names to our loved ones, don??t we? Thanks

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: 1 week ago
RaaN: Yes, I do understand how convenient anonymity is in allowing a person to express their thoughts and opinions in all honesty and forthrightness without being a certain and visible target of negativity. Thanks.

So_cybored: Interesting choice, rather enigmatic, if I may say so. Thanks

YD: Yes, the name is a peculiar thing, where it is one of those aspects in life willed upon us without our having the opportunity to have a say in the matter, despite it being something so defining as to our characters. Hence the reason some are compelled to re-define themselves by having aliases, I believe.

RayRay: Ah, certainly. To some this would not seem to be an issue at all but simply a matter of convenience. I do realize how the vantage point is different with everyone, hence my question. I simply wanted to know and appreciate diversified opinions. And thank you, for yours.