View source for Help:Aliases

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{{nutshell|Aliases are alternative names, like nicknames, acronyms, or translations|Make sure to only [[Help:Aliases#Capitalization|capitalize]] proper nouns|Be careful with [[Help:Aliases#Follow Wikimedia namespace conventions|non-article]] items}}

[[File:Alias for Wikidata.png|thumb|upright=1.5|Wikidata screenshot- alias field highlighted]]

'''Aliases''' are alternative names for items that are placed in the '''''Also known as''''' column of the table on top of every Wikidata item page.

{{Glossary|Alias}}es can be searched in Wikidata in the same way as [[Help:Label|labels]]. Like labels, aliases are language specific, but unlike labels there can be as many aliases for an item as necessary.

Multiple items can have the same alias, so long as they have different descriptions. Some items may not have any aliases as they may only be known by one name.

'''Please note:''' this page describes the use of aliases for items, not properties. While there are commonalities between the two when it comes to the usage of aliases, it is recommended that you visit {{ll|Help:Properties}} for more information on properties.

== Language-Independent General Principles ==
{{Help:Aliases/general principles/en}}

== Guidelines for aliases in English ==
=== Capitalization ===
Aliases should use the same capitalization rules [[Help:Label#Capitalization|that labels do]], so long as they apply. This means that most terms should not begin with a capital letter, but [[:en:proper nouns|proper nouns]] should begin with a capital letter. If an alias ''is not'' a proper noun but the label ''is'' a proper noun the capitalization can differ. As with labels, in the rare case that something intentionally breaks capitalization rules, the capitalization on Wikidata should reflect this, and not try to correct it.

== See also ==
For related Help pages, see:
* {{ll|Help:Label|Help:Label}}, which explains what labels are and what rules they follow
* {{ll|Help:Description|Help:Description}}, which explains what descriptions are and what rules they follow
* {{ll|Help:Items|Help:Items}}, which explains what items are and what rules they follow

For additional information and guidance, see:
{{TNT|Help links}}

{{Translation categories}}