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The expressions about which I am asking are used often on "Prairie Home Companion" when the narrator delivers a list of "fake" credits at the end of the show or at the end of a comic bit.

For example, I.P. Freely, Iona Ford, Ilene Down, Max A Million, etc. Is there a technical term for this type of expression. I guess these could be a type of pun.

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  • There's also Winnie the Pooh. You wouldn't believe his credentials
    – Thursagen
    Commented Sep 7, 2011 at 21:16
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    Have you ever read Cliff Tragedy by Eileen Dover?
    – Daniel
    Commented Sep 7, 2011 at 21:34
  • I was asked one time if Winnie the Pooh used shampoo. I replied, "No, Winnie uses real pooh!"
    – Dale Knight
    Commented Sep 7, 2011 at 21:36
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    I wouldn't call these "expressions" at all, they're just humorous made-up names. The nearest technical term I can come up with is nominative determinism, coined by New Scientist many years ago, which is for real names reflecting people's actual jobs. I think they still print a few more in their "Feedback" penultimate page every now and then.
    – FumbleFingers
    Commented Sep 7, 2011 at 21:37
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    Nevermind Prairie Home Companion. Check out the Car Talk Credits.
    – Marthaª
    Commented Sep 8, 2011 at 0:50

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These are indeed puns. You could also call them double entendres, pun names or gag names.

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