Typing in his first and middle name suggested his last name. However, the search he was concerned about was his first and last name leading to his first and middle. That was not in auto suggest.

Put another way, online readers knowing his IRL name, fine. But people he worked with IRL, he preferred not to point to the online persona.

Chicken and egg.

His identity was only relevant because NYT was going to reveal it, so he had to quit his job and temporarily shut down his blog.