diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.rst b/CONTRIBUTING.rst
index f93b44f4..a1228769 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.rst
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.rst
@@ -163,10 +163,14 @@ include the line in your commit or pull request comment::
 
     Signed-off-by: Your Name <your@email.example.org>
 
-...using your real name; unfortunately pseudonyms and anonymous contributions
-can't be accepted. Git makes this trivial - just use the -s flag when you do
-``git commit``, having first set ``user.name`` and ``user.email`` git configs
-(which you should have done anyway :)
+We accept contributions under a legally identifiable name, such as
+your name on government documentation or common-law names (names
+claimed by legitimate usage or repute). Unfortunately, we cannot
+accept anonymous contributions at this time.
+
+Git allows you to add this signoff automatically when using the ``-s``
+flag to ``git commit``, which uses the name and email set in your
+``user.name`` and ``user.email`` git configs.
 
 Private sign off
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
diff --git a/changelogs/internal/newsfragments/1886.clarification b/changelogs/internal/newsfragments/1886.clarification
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4a21158c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelogs/internal/newsfragments/1886.clarification
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Clarified "real name" in contributor requirements to match other matrix-org projects.