Should I Use an Alias or My Own Name for My YouTube Channel?

I've experienced both sides of this dilemma. My main channel operates under my own name because it aligns with my professional career in analytics and IT leadership. It’s a way for me to showcase my expertise and build credibility. However, for my hobby-related content, I found that a themed alias works better. For example, I created a channel called 'Dice Data' for my craps statistics content. It stands out and gives a clear idea of what the channel is about, which can be more appealing to viewers looking for niche topics.

Choosing a name comes down to personal preference. I go by 'Valentine Autos' on my channel, which is a play on my actual name, Andy Valentine. Since my friends and followers already call me 'Valentine', it felt natural to adopt that as my channel name. This approach maintains a level of personal branding while still being catchy and memorable for my audience.