The use of anonymity in referring to sources is time-honored. In nineteenth-century books it is quite common, when real-life situations are being described, to see references to Mister A or Doctor L____ B____, or similarly disguised names, in order to honor the privacy of those being mentioned.
This was not only because there were madcaps who might want to take up a personal argument with named persons, but also simply out of respect for their right to determine where and how their name was to be used in public.
While I have always used my own name on the Mudcat, and elsewhere, there have been times when that simple act of trust was taken advantage by people who disagreed with what I had to say and preferred to launch ad hominem attacks rather than address issues. I have personally always felt that this minor nuisance was generally worth the benefits of being simply who I am and not having to get complex about multiple identities.
Of course, some folks are inherently tied up in multiple identities, a priori, and would find this notion hard to understand! :D