実名 vs 本名 connotation？

Question

I've seen both of these used about equally, and they seem to have similar meanings. Are they entirely interchangeable?

Answer 1

Both are translated as "real name" in English. According to 類語例解辞典{るいごれいかいじてん}, 本名{ほんみょう} is used as opposed to the name that a person uses such as a stage name or alias. 実名{じつめい} is used when one dares to disclose one’s name.

The sentences below are examples taken from 類語例解辞典{るいごれいかいじてん}:

1. 本名{ほんみょう}/実名{じつめい}を名乗{なの}れ。
   'Tell me your real name.'

2. 実名{じつめい}入{い}りで記事{きじ}を書{か}く。
   '(person) writes a [newspaper/magazine] article in her own name.'

3. 本名{ほんみょう}を偽{いつわ}る。
   '(a person) lies about their real name.'

Compared with 本名{ほんみょう}, 実名{じつめい} tends to be used in the sense of revealing/hiding the real name. For instance, the police make 実名{じつめい} of the suspect public or they hide 実名{じつめい} of the victim.

Answer 2

Yes, I agree with nominozomy about 70%. For these kind of stuff, you need to "feel" when it is used, when it should be used.

Although nominozomy quoted [実名]{じつめい}[入]{い}りで[記事]{きじ}を[書]{か}く。 '(person) writes a [newspaper/magazine] article in her own name.'

Regarding this I never came across wherever it is at work, or municipal registration stuff, or a conversation. And to me, personally, it sounds a bit strange.

In terms of frequency, 本名 is far more often used than 実名, at the official procedures, or in business, because as nominozomy said "Compared with [本名]{ほんみょう}, [実名]{じつめい} tends to be used in the sense of revealing/hiding the real name." And 実名 reminds me of some kind of criminal activities, though not for all cases.