mə̇ˈsnōmə(r) noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English misnoumer, from Anglo-French misnomer to call by a wrong name, from Middle French mesnommer to call by a bad name, from mes- mis- (I) + nommer to name, from Latin nominare to name — more at nominate
1. : the misnaming of a person in a legal instrument or proceeding (as in a complaint or indictment)
2.
a. : a use of a wrong name
it is a misnomer to call such works of fiction biographies
b. : a wrong name : an incorrect designation or term
“fruit,” as used to describe potatoes, is a misnomer — Jackson Rivers
found to his great pleasure that the name Green Lanes was no misnomer for the village — Compton Mackenzie