Definitions:

1. a descriptive name for a place or thing noun
   • The nickname for the U.S.S. Constitution is 'Old Ironsides' due to much success in battle.
2. a familiar name for a person, often a shortened version of a person's given name noun
   • My friends called me by my nickname, but my parents used my full name.
3. give a familiar name to verb
   • I nicknamed my schoolmate to deepen our friendship.

Synonyms:

• cognomen
• dub