phyphor, the individual, is properly written in lowercase, as per normal UNIX username convention.
With an uppercase initial letter this might refer to: The character in the novel "Wizards and Warriors" by Hugh Cook The Labyrinthe (LARP system) character played by phyphor, named after the Hugh Cook character The user account of phyphor on systems that are both case-sensitive and enforce a "first letter capital" rule, such as toothycat
The individual adopted the name for use in person after moving to Cambridge, in an attempt to keep their work and social life separate where possible.
So why the name?
I was part of the [Labyrinthe LARP society] which, as well as weekend adventures, ran week-long, in-character adventures in the Summer that you had to be 18 to go on. One was due to start on my 18th birthday so I convinced my parents to let me go as my present. I then created a new character that I planned to take on the trip, with enough time to play to get to a high enough level to go. As I'd just been reading [The Wizards and the Warriors] I decided that I'd go with Garash as the character name because, as the very first mention of him, on the very first page, he was a "fat, slovenly apprentice" which seemd appropriate.
That character then died on the first encounter and, as time was short, I effectively just re-created the character but needed a new name and I couldn't remember "Miphon" so went with "Phyphor".
Phyphor still survives and was one of my favourite characters and, when I went to university and started getting involved with MUDs and talkers so needed an online name, I started to use the name "phyphor" online.
I continued that when I started playing online games, including [KoL], and it got to the point that I was known by thousands of people by my online nick, and nowhere near that many by my birth name. When I went to Conventions and Meets I'd use my online handle because it'd be unique, and because I didn't have a fondness for my birth name.
Why keep identities separate?
Even working in tech, even working in London and Cambridge, I've noticed some bias against individuals who don't fit what many consider as "normal", i.e. [cishet] and it's much, much easier to be stealthy when people can't, for example, find online discussions where you are out.
Having left employment more than once not long after being outed I decided to completely identify myself as "phyphor" in social situations after moving to Cambridge, but still retain my birth name for employment and official purposes.
So Phy Phor?
[Facebook] requires a first and last name so it seemed easier to just split the name into syllables. I've had my name reported once and had to verify my identity, but this was trivial to do because I have both membership cards in that name and have had post sent to me in that name.
So culcube?
Where it's not possible to be phyphor, or where a second "still me" account is desired, the name "culcube" is used. Those familiar with rot13 should grok this.
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Phyphor