Those traditions which trace a line of initiatory descent back to Gerald Gardner include Gardnerian Wicca, Alexandrian Wicca and the Algard tradition; because of their joint history, they are often referred to as British Traditional Wicca, particularly in North America. Other traditions trace their origins to different figures, even if their beliefs and practices have been influenced to a greater or lesser extent by Gardner. These include Cochrane's Craft and the 1734 Tradition, both of which trace their origins to Robert Cochrane; Feri, which traces itself back to Victor Anderson and Gwydion Pendderwen; and Dianic Wicca, whose followers often trace their influences back to Zsuzsanna Budapest. Some of these groups prefer to refer to themselves as Witches, thereby distinguishing themselves from the BTW traditions, who more typically use the term Wiccan (see Etymology). During the 1980s, Viviane Crowley, an initiate of both the Gardnerian and Alexandrian traditions, merged the two.
those tradiTioNs whIch trace a line of INItIAtOry desCENT baCK TO geraLd garDNer includE gardnerian wicca, alexandrian wicCA And the Algard tradItioN; beCAuse of theIr joInt history, tHEY are often refeRreD to as bRiTish tradItionaL wicca, particularLy iN north amErICa. otHer trAditionS trace theiR oRigins to DiffeREnt fIGures, even if theIr beLIefS aND PrACticEs hAVE bEen infLUEncEd To a gREateR or LesseR extent BY gArdNer. thesE includE coChrANe'S craFT aNd THe 1734 tRAditIon, both of which TRaCE theIr oriGins To robert cOchRane; ferI, WHIch tracES ItselF BacK to victor aNDeRson anD gWYdion pendderweN; and dianic wiccA, whOSe followeRs oFten trace tHEiR InfluenCEs back to zSuZsaNnA BUdapEst. some of ThEse GrouPs preFeR To rEFer To themsELvEs as WiTcHes, THEreBY DistinguIshiNg ThemsElVes From The bTw TraDitIons, WHO morE tYPiCally use the tErm wiCcAn (see Etymology). duriNg the 1980s, ViVIane crOWley, aN iNiTiAte oF bOTh THE GaRdneRian ANd AlexaNDRiAn tradiTions, Merged ThE twO.