Question

when writing a paper using the APA style, how do you use the abbreviation "AKA" when listing a bunch of names and dates. Like Jesus of Nazareth a.k.a. Jesus Christ (7B.C. to 33A.D.) and Temujin aka Genghis Khan (1155-1227), etc.?
Do you put the aka in parenthesis (with or without the dates) or before the parenthesis with the dates?

Answer 1

Don't use AKA in academic papers. Spell it out. Why would you not use the common names? Is it important to your paper that the reader know the less common alias' of these figures? If not just use the common names.

Answer 2

Alternatively, only use "also known as" for ONLY those who have other names that are less commonly known. For example: Most people know that Jesus of Nazareth was also called Jesus Christ, so there is no need to use "also known as". Conversely, not many people know that Genghis Khan was also known as Temujin, so "also known as" would be appropriate. But spell it out and keep it out of the parenthesis.

Answer 3

By the way, APA addresses format not style, so APA will tell you whether you should type aka as "aka" or "a.k.a.", but not whether or not you should use the abbreviation in a paper. Refer to a stylistic manual for that such as Gregg's Reference Manual or Strunk and White's Elements of Style.

Answer 4

Thanks!