fursona

[ fur-soh-nuh ]

noun

1. an anthropomorphic animal character adopted as an idealized or stylized representation of one’s self, especially for use within the furry fandom:

   My fursona is a white bat with blue eyes.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fursona¹

First recorded in 2000–05; fur(ry) ²( def ) + (per)sona ( def )

Example Sentences

A fursona can be an animal representation of who you are, who you wish to be, or a part of yourself you want to explore.

From Slate

Riley even went from being my fursona’s name to my own legal name—not because I think I’m a literally a big cat, but because creating a fursona offered me a way to find myself.

From Slate

Naturally, part of the process involved creating a “fursona,” aka an animal alter ego.

From Slate

Fursona and actual personality are linked together, and the animal avatar is no less authentic than your everyday self.

From Slate

In addition to the artists and fursuit makers who’ve made the fandom their career, there are scientists, emergency workers, software engineers, doctors, lawyers, and more, all brought together by the fun and fascination around having an animal alter ego, or “fursona,” that’s more or less a human with animal characteristics.

From Slate