as in nickname
a descriptive or familiar name given instead of or in addition to the one belonging to an individual Thomas Edward Lawrence is better known to most people by his byname, Lawrence of Arabia

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of byname Robert the Wise was a good teacher — and, as his byname suggests, a good role model. Anne Thériault, Longreads, 3 July 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for byname
Noun
  • Son of Spergy — the title is a nod to the nickname of Caesar’s father, gospel singer Norwill Simmonds — is the fourth album by the singer-songwriter.
    Trevor Anderson, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The 22-year-old Scarberry said the shop is named after the nickname her friends gave her.
    Jason Dill November 5, Miami Herald, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Previously titled His Royal Highness Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, Andrew will now be called Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, using the royal family's surname for direct descendants of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.
    Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
  • On the left is the crest for Sophia’s mother’s surname, Fullerton.
    Lennie Omalza, Louisville Courier Journal, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • In fact, the term itself was an epithet throughout the founding era, a way to describe ignorant and easily deceived popular majorities, perpetually vulnerable to demagogues.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
  • According to research from Copyleaks, an AI analysis firm that helps businesses and institutions navigate the shifting landscape of this emergent technology, a new trend has produced Sora videos of celebrities appearing to spew hateful racist epithets.
    Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This fall, Zardoya stepped out on her own, releasing her solo debut album, Melt, under the moniker Not for Radio.
    Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The hunky leading man was happy to take on the moniker.
    Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Byname.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/byname. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.

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