notname

In art history, a Notname (German: [ˈnoːtˌnaːmə] , "name of necessity" or "contingency name") is an invented name given to an artist whose identity has been lost. The practice arose from the need to give such artists and their typically untitled or generically titled works an acceptable if unsatisfactory grouping to avoid confusion when cataloging. The phrases provisional name, name of convenience, and emergency names are sometimes used to describe anonymous masters. Nonce name was at one time used.