I. ˈnik-ˌnām 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)
II. transitive verb
Date: 1536
1. : misname , miscall
2. : to give a nickname to
• nick·nam·er noun