nickname

1 of 2

noun

nick·​name ˈnik-ˌnām 

1

: a usually descriptive name given instead of or in addition to the one belonging to a person, place, or thing

2

: a familiar form of a proper name (as of a person or a city)

nickname

2 of 2

verb

nicknamed; nicknaming; nicknames

transitive verb

1

: misname, miscall

2

: to give a nickname to

nicknamer noun

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History of Nickname

It might look like nickname is a compound noun formed by adding nick and name together, but the actual history of this word is a bit more complicated. It was formed by metanalysis, or the changing of the division of words based upon how they sound together. In this case, the Middle English word eke, meaning “also” or “in addition,” was joined with name to form ekename—literally, “also-name,” used for a secondary or unofficial name in the late Middle Ages. Over time, an ekename became a nickname presumably because eke had become less familiar as a word. Needless to say, nick in this case doesn’t mean “also” or anything else, it just represents a comfortable and familiar alternative to the word’s original spelling.

Synonyms of nickname

Noun

• moniker
• epithet
• surname

Examples of nickname in a Sentence

Noun

His mother gave him the nickname “Winky” when he was a baby.

Earvin “Magic” Johnson got his nickname from the way he handled a basketball.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Goodall, a former market trader, has earned the nickname of the hardest-working man in the sport and is certainly one of the most trusted. — Chris McKenna, New York Times, 22 July 2026

The 13 Going on 30 star wore overalls embroidered with her nickname—Jen—layering them over a white tank and tying a red bandana around her neck. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 20 July 2026

Verb

Brazil worship their creative wingers and Palmeiras’ under-20 star Conceicao — nicknamed Dudu — is one of the next great hopes. — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 22 July 2026

The monkey, which has since been nicknamed Oyster after the London travel card, was taken back to the bus depot in the nearby suburb of Willesden, where staff subsequently contacted the RSPCA. — Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English neke name "added name, nickname," alteration (resulting from misdivision of an ekename) of ekename, from eke "increase, addition" (going back to Old English ēaca, going back to dialectal Germanic *auka(n)- —whence also Old Frisian āka "addition, supplement," OIcel auki— derivative from the base of *aukan- "to increase") + name name entry 1 — more at eke entry 2

Verb

derivative of nickname entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1536, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nickname

• acclaim
• aflame
• airframe
• ballgame
• became
• declaim
• defame
• disclaim
• doorframe
• exclaim
• inflame
• mainframe

Kids Definition

nickname

1 of 2 noun

nick·​name ˈnik-ˌnām 

1

: an often descriptive name (as "Shorty" or "Tex") given in addition to the one belonging to an individual

2

: a form of a proper name (as "Billy" for "William") used by family or friends

nickname

2 of 2 verb

: to give a nickname to

Etymology

Noun

Middle English nekename "an additional name," from the phrase an ekename (misunderstood as being a nekename), from eke "something added on" and name "name"

Word Origin

The Middle English word eke meant "something added on." An ekename was therefore an added name given to a person or place. Many people who heard the phrase "an ekename," however, thought they were hearing "a nekename." Because of that confusion over the course of many years, the word ekename became nekename. Later changes in spelling have given us the modern word nickname.