[olalonde]

Use a realistic fake name?

[cowkingdeluxe]

In Aug 2011, Google banned quite a bit of Google+ accounts for using fake names and nicknames. Does Google still do this?

[ceejayoz]

That's where realistic comes in. They banned people using company names or clearly fake ones.

[AkThhhpppt]

Or real names that looked like they might be fake (Violet Blue). Or that were foreign in a weird way (Hong Kong users). Or famous people they though might have been faking (William Shatner). Or...

Basically, the nym wars debacle demonstrated (if nothing else) that if you demand people's real names, know what you're asking for, and be prepared to support the multitude of naming conventions that exist worldwide.

[AdamGibbins]

Yes they do. Which is why OP said realistic.