I'd like to have more than one name for some devices. I figure I can create a group with only that device in it, and use that as an alternate name for the device.
Is that the best or only way?
I suppose that would work. What is the reason for needing two different names?
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Not the OP here, but here is my use case: we named everything "nursery" xyz (light, side lamp, night lamp, Echo, HomePod, closet light, etc) after my little one was born. At some point when she was old enough, she wanted to name the devices after herself instead of "nursery". Fair enough. However, the old parents had a very hard time asking Alexa or Siri to command that room's devices, having changed the name "cold turkey". Having an alias would have saved a lot of frustration during a transition.
When my mom comes to visit, I'd like more natural device names that suit her, instead of "guest". Alexa had the ability to add variations to an automation name. HomeKit does not. 
With 500+ real and virtual devices, it would also help with grouping related devices together in HE. My work around is to put more keywords in the Device Name and keep the Device Label simple. However, it doesn't help with searching through a list of devices in a Rule.
FWIW the device name comes over to Alexa and Apple HomeKit as it’s named in HE but you can rename devices in those platforms to whatever you want after the fact. I’ve done this with several devices.
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Agreed. I've done the same. However, it would be nice to have alternate names where both or more work at the same time. Probably would need multiple virtual devices to carry over as "aliases".
At the least, it would be nice to have some kind of alias on the HE side of things.
In Alexa, you can have Aliases - Within the Alexa app, just edit the name of the device to be multiple names, separated by commas - That works for me, at least.
I have no idea if Siri, or GH supports something similar (but I would guess the Community Google Home app allows something similar on the HE side - I'm still playing with that).
As aways, YMMV
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What is the reason for needing two different names?
Now they are named "under deck #1", "under deck #2". Christmas season they become "candy canes" and "icicles".
Wife just bought decorative lights that will plug in there. An alias "edison" is more convenient than changing names when season changes or trying to remember a more generic name.
That sounds great--except I have so many devices I can't keep track of them in the UI. So, an alias that I can see there is useful too.
Have you tried notes or tags in each device? They are searchable and show in the UI. I can't tell you the difference in how each works in every scenario, but these are definitely options to explore.
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