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

Relevance

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
  • Aside from being a fruit and a nickname for New Zealanders, Kiwi is also a brand name of New Zealand-style bacon that's also popular in Australia.
    Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 12 Aug. 2025
  • Monroe reveals that Lynne is the one who gave her the nickname, the inspiration for the song.
    Nancy Kruh, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • This unusual celebrity baby name is technically a Japanese surname, but that didn’t stop Skai Jackson from bestowing it upon her baby girl.
    Marilyn La Jeunesse, Parents, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Cruise for years has reportedly been estranged from their 19-year-old daughter, Suri, who dropped her father’s surname last year.
    Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 29 July 2025
Noun
  • Tackett shouted racial epithets against Latinos at the driver before hurling a cup of hot coffee into their car, splashing the victim’s face, hands and the inside of his car, Oldoerp said.
    City News Service, Oc Register, 25 July 2025
  • The two welders who had been spewing racist epithets at Pierre, the lawsuit said, began retaliating.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Byname.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/byname. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!