These are pseudonyms, pen names, or spiritual names used by writers were Theosophists or were significant in study of Theosophy. In some cases the pseudonym became known more widely than the true name of the writer, as with Allan Kardec, the nom de plume of Hippolyte Léon Denizard Rivail and Éliphas Lévi, used by Louis Constant.
William Quan Judge used several noms de plume in periodicals. In his earliest writings, Fritz Kunz did much the same, writing under these names. Pseudonyms were used to disguise people whose writings would not be accepted in their professional and social circles; to make periodicals appear to have a wider range of contributors than was actually the case; or to reflect an inner identity. In some case, writers were just having a bit of fun, as when John Algeo used the whimsical name "Prof. Abditus Questor."
"Star names" referred to people whose past lives were examined in Lives of Alcyone. Marie Russak Hotchener wholeheartedly adopted her star name of "Helios" and used it to sign letters and articles. "Alcyone" was widely understood among members of the Theosophical Society based in Adyar to mean Jiddu Krishnamurti, and "Sirius" to indicate Charles Webster Leadbeater.