‘Real Name’ and ‘Anonymous’ users

Why do some comments show a full name, and others say ‘anonymous’?

If you see a user comment on this site with a full name next to it, it means that person has opted to give us his or her full name, zip code, birth year and gender, and that we’ve called them to verify that info - using the same process we’d use when verifying Letters to the Editor in the newspaper.

We’ve termed those users “Real Name” users.

People who haven’t verified their identities are listed as “anonymous.”

To change your anonymity profile, log in to your site account and click “Edit your anonymity setting.”