n.
Pronunciation: ' nik- ˌ n ā m
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English nekename additional name, alteration (resulting from misdivision of an ekename ) of ekename, from eke eke, also + name name
Date: 15th century
1 : a usually descriptive name given instead of or in addition to the one belonging to a person, place, or thing
2 : a familiar form of a proper name (as of a person or a city)