How about a new country for your next incarnation.
Zenzibar.
To answer the Q.
I’ve never been anyone else but me. I’d be afraid I’d forget the new name so I just hang on to the same one, monotonous tho it may be.
I do know that we do have the option to create another acct. if we want to answer a Q or create one which deals with confidential or sensitive subjects but not to act like a sock puppet or game the system. They will delete you for that and rightfully so.
To give an example from a while ago, someone posted a Q about abortion and spoke in detail about her experience. She was upfront about the fact that she had created a different acct from her usual one.
That reminds me too, there was someone else discussing the addiction issues of someone close to him and wanted to remain anonymous about it.
But he chose the name ZenListener. Confused the heck out of me cuz it didn’t sound at all like the wackjob Zen whom we all know and love :) Totally different writing style.
But I PMd just to check on the name coincidence and he gave me enough info to put the pieces together. No further details necessary. And, no, it was NOT the Zen of many incarnations. Someone totally different.
Anyhow, I think that’s likely the most common reason for different names. There are probably a bunch of various different others also.
But no one even comes close to zenele, Mr. Allergic-to-lurve himself :)