nickname

Etymology

From Middle English nekename, alteration (due to a rebracketing of an ekename as a nekename) of earlier ekename (“nickname”), from eke (“also, additional”) + name (“name”). Compare Old Norse aukanafn, auknafn, auknefni (“nickname”), Faroese eyknevni (“nickname”), Danish øgenavn (“nickname”), Swedish öknamn (“nickname”), and German Low German Ökelname (“nickname”). For other similar cases of incorrect division, see also apron, daffodil, newt, orange, umpire.

noun

1. A familiar, invented name for a person or thing used instead of the actual name of the person or thing, often based on some noteworthy characteristic.
   "The Big Apple" is a common nickname for New York City.
2. A familiar, shortened or diminutive name for a person or thing.
   My name is Jonathan, but I go by my nickname, Johnny.

verb

1. (transitive) To give a nickname to (a person or thing).
   Gerald, nicknamed "Jerry", was usually a very cheerful person.