Nickname

A nickname is a short, clever, cute, derogatory, or otherwise substitute name for a person or thing's real name (for example, Tom is short for Thomas). As a concept, it is distinct from both pseudonym and stage name, although there may be overlap in these concepts.

Related Topics:
Pseudonym - Stage name

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A nickname is sometimes considered cool to have, symbolising a form of acceptance, but often times there is no need for a nickname.

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Artists, actors, a.s.o. have usually also nicknames, then called screen name. A person's online nickname may also be known as his or her handle, especially within hacker culture.

Related Topics:
Screen name - Handle - Hacker

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Etymology: In Middle English the word was ekename (from the verb to eke, "enlarge"; compare Swedish öknamn). Later, an ekename developed into a nickname.

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In Viking societies, many people had nicknames heiti, viðrnefni or uppnefi which were used in addition to, or instead of their family names. In some circumstances the giving of a nickname had a special status in Viking society in that it created a relationship between the name maker and the recipient of the nickname, to the extent that the creation of a nickname also often entailed a formal ceremony and an exchange of gifts.

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