nickname

[nik-neym]

noun

1. a name added to or substituted for the proper name of a person, place, etc., as in affection, ridicule, or familiarity.

   He has always loathed his nickname of “Whizzer.”

2. a familiar form of a proper name, as Jim for James and Peg for Margaret.

verb (used with object)

nicknamed, nicknaming 

1. to give a nickname to (a person, town, etc.); call by a nickname.

2. Archaic.,  to call by an incorrect or improper name; misname.

nickname

/ ˈnɪkˌneɪm /

noun

1. a familiar, pet, or derisory name given to a person, animal, or place

   his nickname was Lefty because he was left-handed

2. a shortened or familiar form of a person's name

   Joe is a nickname for Joseph

verb

1. (tr) to call by a nickname; give a nickname to

Other Word Forms

• nicknamer noun
• unnicknamed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nickname¹

1400–50; late Middle English nekename, for ekename (the phrase an ekename being taken as a nekename ). See eke ², name; newt

Word History and Origins

Origin of nickname¹

C15 a nekename, mistaken division of an ekename an additional name, from eke addition + _name

Example Sentences

Jost said that the baby’s “nickname was Magician, because he basically sawed his mother in half.”

Read more on Salon

Recently, one pair of cosmic dancers has turned astronomer’s heads by performing a very dangerous routine — which they’ve nicknamed the cosmic joust!

Read more on Space Scoop

Fury paid tribute to Hatton, nicknamed the "Hitman", on social media.

Read more on Barron's

According to the detective, the cooperator identified Quintero by his legal name, nickname and birth date — even describing a distinctive tribal band tattoo on his arm.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

None have more than Marchand, whose ribbing style once earned the nickname “Little Ball of Hate” from none other than former President Barack Obama.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• epithet 
• moniker 
• sobriquet 
• style 
• tag