Nickname
Informal name of a person, place, or thing
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Key Takeaways
- A nickname , in some circumstances also known as a sobriquet , or informally a " moniker ", is an informal substitute for the proper name of a person, place, or thing.
- A nickname may be a descriptive and based on characteristics, or it be a variant form of a proper name.
- Etymology The compound word ekename , meaning "additional name", was attested as early as 1303.
- By the 15th century, the misdivision of the syllables of the phrase "an ekename" led to its rephrasing as "a nekename".
A nickname, in some circumstances also known as a sobriquet, or informally a "moniker", is an informal substitute for the proper name of a person, place, or thing. It is distinct from a pseudonym, pen name, stage name, or title, although the concepts can overlap. A nickname may be a descriptive and based on characteristics, or it be a variant form of a proper name. Nicknames may be used for convenience by shortening a name, or they may be used to express affection, playfulness, contempt, or to reflect a particular character trait.
Etymology
The compound word ekename, meaning "additional name", was attested as early as 1303. This word was derived from the Old English word eac, meaning "also", related to eacian, meaning "to increase". By the 15th century, the misdivision of the syllables of the phrase "an ekename" led to its rephrasing as "a nekename". Though the spelling has changed, the meaning of the word has remained relatively stable ever since.
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