def get_alias_names(meta_data):
    """Returns the list of configured alias names."""
    if len(meta_data) <= 0 or 'alias' not in meta_data:
        return None
    aliases = meta_data['alias']
    if isinstance(aliases, list):
        # If the alias meta data is a list, ensure that they're strings
        return list(filter(lambda value: isinstance(value, str), aliases))
    if isinstance(aliases, dict) and 'name' in aliases:
        return [ aliases['name'] ]
    if isinstance(aliases, str):
        return [ aliases ]
    return None