I never use them. They're totally lame.
I use a pseudonym, because I am a private person and I want to be left alone IRL. It also didn't help the fact that a couple of times I was nearly physically attacked because of my comics, just because they had violent scenes that really hit a nerve (those scene were nothing gratuitous - all that anger had to do much more with the readers' personal issues than with me or my comics). So, privacy all the way, thanks 
I have thought about using my real name on several occasions, but when it came to it, it was hard to do. I much prefer a pseudonym... Partly for privacy, and just cause? lol
The real issue here is picking the pseudonym you want to potentially stick with for life xD
I initially used the nom de plume just cause I thought it sounded cool, but with the current outrage climate on the web and being easily identifiable, I feel it's best to keep my actual name out of reach.
hello my pseudonym is Zagushi, it is the only name that I use for everything, and on having been invented by me and could use for everything I feel that it is brilliant since it is easy to find me so in other networks and I do not have to use other characters for example zagu890 Since my name anybody has it
I use my pseudonym all the time as a part of my art, and my online presence. It's all part of an identity I want to cultivate for myself, when I do get into a full-time artist career. I want to be a name that stands out in the crowd.
It makes sense that most of us would like a different name online, however, my question was mostly about trying to do comics professionally. If it gets down to this, if you had to put a name under your work and publish it, would you stick with your real name or would you use a different one?
Technically, 95% of names online are pseudonyms. But that's neither here nor there. Personally, I think pseudonyms are totally cool. You're putting your art out there. You have no obligation to give your name. I'm pretty open about my name, but that's me. Do whatever you need to feel comfortable.
My name is Natalie and I'm a bear. That one was pretty easy!
... I do like my real name, so i just combined it with on animal I love... (soooo original), but otherwise, it was always really hard for me to pick a pseudonym... Could't really decide... So many possibilities... omg...
Well, I mostly use my nickname "Zanreo" online instead of my real one, but at the same time I don't really make it a point to keep my real name secret. It's just that I prefer using the nickname online, in a way? I don't mind getting called by my real name but it does tend to catch me off-guard for a second. And I tend to sign my work/get credited as both, as my real name with "Zanreo" in the middle. Most people online know me as Zanreo anyway
Yup, I use one. Paul isn't even close to my real name. Funny story why, though.
Way back in my school, I was introducing myself around the Tech Campus (an alternative school area to hone technical skills like programming and art) and I didn't actually tell anyone my name, and one of the girls there just called me Paul. The only reason being, that I 'just looked like a Paul'. I never told her the truth, and it moved to being a half meme within my circle of friends for a bit.
So, I just go by that whenever I got to make a name for something!
I definitely don't fall into "most readers" you describe. I can see your point, but it's more about projecting the image of being proud of your creations, and taking responsibilities. The name you go by is only one factor. Depending on the case, it can be a complete non-issue.
...Of course, there are cases where it's a Big Deal. No one would take you seriously if you published under a name like SexyTime69, and if your comic is aimed at kids or a more conservative audience, then it's a straight up author suicide XD
I used to use pseudonyms all the time, and worry about other people connecting my work with my real name. I think I was most worried about ballsing up and everyone knowing it was me, and not being able to escape from that.
Then I realised that art is all about ballsing up. Repeatedly. And building from that. People have pretty short memories, and you can easily re-invent yourself. I also realised that someday I'm going to die, and I figured it would be better if my work was actually connected to...well, me.
I still use Vanadis in places (like here!). Before that I used a few crappy generic nicknames, which I fast outgrew (I only really used those in the early days of the internet in chat rooms and forums, when everyone used them).
So yeah, my name isn't too common (at least not until quite recently, wtf is up with everyone naming their babies Freya now?!) and my full name (Freya Horn) is pretty rare. Last time I checked, when you google it it just comes up with one other person with the same name (an Australian lass, who also happens to be an artist. Freaky). I figured this was probably a good thing. So long as I don't screw up too bad.
If I do, I guess I can blame it on the Aussie... lol XD
Ohh- I also want to add, I'm married. But I kept my maiden name, because there is no way I can lose the Horn 
lml
i suppose in the most technical of terms, zephyll is a pseudonym, but not really because thats just one of my chosen names because heck darn if im gonna let people deadname me lol
i dont use one. just cuz for a illustrator its suuuper important to brand yourself and i already have my name in lots of different places on the interwebs so why start not usin my name now. the only weird part is that im suuuper google-able and stuff comes up from yeeears ago like old pictures that im all cringey at now. but besides that im ok with it. i dont think theres anythin wrong with usin a fake name tho. specially if ya dont want your peeps findin your stuff
I kind of use one, but to be honest it's not to hide my real name (which thankfully is pretty common as "Tristan" is one of the top 10 most hated baby names XD) It's really more for searchability (if you google my username "kallehmono" (don't ask) you'll actually find my stuff rather right away without much effort)
"Ashe Skyler" is not my real name, but I did choose it carefully so it could easily pass as one. I prefer to use a pseudonym because it puts up a bit of an unspoken wall that my personal life is not public property. Kind of like how you may discuss your family with your customers at work but you both know you're not going to stand in your bathroom to ask questions as you brush your teeth in your jammies.
And as a married woman, it saves me that hassle of "maiden name vs. married name" debate!
I don't use a pseudonym based on personal preference. That is, I enjoy being able to learn more about the various authors responsible for the books, music, and other forms of media that I enjoy. I feel that were I to use one, somebody who may enjoy what I've created might also want to learn more about me beyond the written material I've written. I'm happy to offer them the opportunity.
I started out using a pseudonym when I was a teen like a lot of people do because the internet is scary, but also when I was in my early twenties, playing WoW there was a creepy stalker guy and one of my guildmates who knew me in real life told him my real name and I stopped being her friend after that. Haha.
The only reason I haven't legally changed my name to sincerely is because I think it would really upset my mom? She was very proud of the name she gave me and I dunno I don't have the heart to tell her that I hate it. There's nothing wrong with it, but also it just kind of gives me goosebumps when somebody calls me by it (which my family and coworkers still do). I'm not really fond of my last name either, which is Snook, and I dunno, I'm probably going to put "ML Snook" on the front of books once I get published, but that doesn't mean I'll like it.
My friends, including my girlfriend, call me sin and that's what I prefer.
My name, while not very original in my motherland (Bangladesh), its very different in America. (I'll be using my initials to explain). Legally, my first name (K) is my last name, middle name (T) is my first name, and my last name (R) is my middle name. So while legally its KTR, it should be TRK. It's a huge mix up my parents did when I was born cause they were to excited about having a kid. BUT ANYWAY, so everyone in America calls me K. I don't really like it but T is too hard for a lot of them to pronounce and explaining why is such a bother so I just stick with K. But then everyone from my family and bangladesh, they call me T.
So when I started using the internet I went by a lot of random usernames. For the longest time I was cutieT96 or bamchick96. But tbh, that got embarrassing by the time I was in 9th grade. So, I made up The_colosseum. But that didnt really differentiate me either.
Then when I was making an instagram account, I wanted to find a username that felt more me. And my friend suggested an inside joke, Noglastia. And from there sprouted the nickname Nog. Idk why but it just seemed so much better than all the nicknames ive had till this point that ive just sort of stuck with it and actually really enjoy it when my online friends call me it. Even if it were ever in public. Noglastiaa even has a silly story behind it so i just really love the name. Hopefully its one i can keep hold of c: