The best replacement for lanyard is carabiner.

The best alternatives to lanyard are rated as following:
★★★★★  carabiner
★★★★★  halyard
★★★★★  lifeline
★★★  boondoggle
★★★  gimp
★  billfish
★  badge holder
★  lanyard

Your alternative for lanyard is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about lanyard, one probably shouldn't forget about badge holder.

Other search terms related to lanyard and their ratings are:
★★★★★ badge holder
★★★★ pouch
★★★★ id holder
★★★★ badge reel
★★★ bulldog clip
★★ zipper pouch
★★ card holder
★★ pen
★★ id pouch
★ flash drive
★ badge
★ holder
★ usb
★ cell phone holder
name badge
id badge holder
ticket holder
shock absorber
You have in mind a companion for lanyard and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of lanyard in all years. Click on graph for more.
lanyard
carabiner
halyard