Nicknames have infinite possibilities – whether you have a serious one (re: Lizzie instead of Elizabeth) or a funny one (re: Shaggy because of your unruly hair). They can also be mean or ridiculous. They can even take over for your actual legal name. A nickname is often deemed desirable, as it can be a symbol of acceptance.
So was it someone named Nick who originally came up with the idea of shortening names or creating a name replacement? Nope. The word “nickname” is actually a mistake. It comes from the word “ekename,” which means “additional name.” This term was used as early as 1303.
It came from the Old English word “eaca,” which means “an increase.” By the fifteenth century, the syllables of “an ekename” had started to be incorrectly divided into “a nekename.” While today’s spelling is different, the pronunciation is basically the same.