byname

/ˈbaɪˌneɪm/

Etymology

From by- + name. Cognate with Dutch bijnaam (“nickname”), German Beiname (“nickname, epithet”), Swedish binamn, Danish binavn and Norwegian Bokmål binavn.

Why this word is great

BYNAME — [Noun, Verb] A secondary name, especially a descriptive epithet, pseudonym, or ritual title. From Middle English, combining by- ("secondary, additional") + name ("name"), cognate with Dutch bijnaam and German Beiname ("nickname, epithet"). Unlike "epithet" (which sharpens a defining trait) or "sobriquet" (which winks with familiarity), a byname is a vessel—neutral, expansive, capable of holding both reverence and disguise. It is the weight of "Erik the Red" settling on a Viking’s shoulders, the whispered "St. John of the Cross" in a monk’s cell, or the deliberate click of a username in a digital dusk—each a second skin, a chosen mask, a way to be more or less than oneself.

noun

  1. Any secondary name, particularly; Synonym of epithet, a descriptive and distinguishing additional name.“Lions-heart, is... the by-name of K. Richard.”
  2. Any secondary name, particularly; A formal epithet for a god or goddess, used in rituals in Heathenry.
  3. Any secondary name, particularly; Synonym of pseudonym, a second name used to disguise authorship etc.
  4. Any secondary name, particularly; Synonym of nickname, an informal personal name.
  5. Any secondary name, particularly; Synonym of surname, a hereditary distinguishing additional name.“Some of these by-names... remained many years after to them, and theirs; amongst which Plantagenist was entailed on the Royal bloud of England.”
  6. Any secondary name, particularly; Synonym of cognomen, a personal or hereditary additional name in ancient Roman contexts.“Eutropius... gives him the additional name of Crinitus, perhaps a by-name of his family.”

verb

  1. To assign a byname to.