nickname
Sign in to saveA 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.
AI overview
A nickname is an informal substitute name for a person, place, or thing that differs from their official name and can be based on characteristics, shortened versions, or expressions of affection, playfulness, or contempt. Nicknames matter because they serve practical purposes like convenience and can communicate relationships, attitudes, and personal qualities in ways that formal names do not.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Article
14 sectionsContents
- Etymology
- People
- Language conventions
- Societal uses
- Nicknames derived from proper names
- Nicknames based on characteristics
- Nicknames based on relationship
- Geography
- Placenames
- Residents
- Computing
- See also
- References
- External links
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.