1
as in nickname
a descriptive or familiar name given instead of or in addition to the one belonging to an individual
richly deserved the cognomen of "Butterfingers"
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2
as in moniker
a word or combination of words by which a person or thing is regularly known
"Christopher Columbus" is the Latinized cognomen of the navigator who was known to his Spanish crewmates as Cristóbal Colón
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Recent Examples of cognomen
Part of the Tuscia — cognomen of lush forested Viterbo, crossed by the ancient Roman Francigena road and land of the Etruscans before that — Gradoli is also volcanic.
—
Susan H. Gordon, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2021
The cognomen, or surname, of the Oba is Ekpen-owa, or home leopard.
—NOLA.com, 1 Feb. 2021
Moore submitted dozens of wonderful, wondrous cognomens, including Mongoose Civique, Regina-rex, Aeroterre, Dearborn Diamanté and the deathless Utopian Turtletop.
—Dan Neil, WSJ, 20 Mar. 2020
Denmark, Iceland, Hungary and Saudi Arabia also enforce specific naming conventions where common American cognomens might not make the cut.
—Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, 26 Sep. 2017
Susan H. Gordon, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2021
The cognomen, or surname, of the Oba is Ekpen-owa, or home leopard.
—NOLA.com, 1 Feb. 2021
Moore submitted dozens of wonderful, wondrous cognomens, including Mongoose Civique, Regina-rex, Aeroterre, Dearborn Diamanté and the deathless Utopian Turtletop.
—Dan Neil, WSJ, 20 Mar. 2020
Denmark, Iceland, Hungary and Saudi Arabia also enforce specific naming conventions where common American cognomens might not make the cut.
—Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, 26 Sep. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cognomen
Noun
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That includes name, image and likeness but also voice, signature, nickname and other unique personal aspects.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
13 Apr. 2025
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Flintoff – better known by his nickname Freddie – was seriously injured in a motoring accident in 2022, during filming of the BBC car show Top Gear.—
Caroline Frost,
Deadline,
12 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In some ways, the moniker ‘hair stylist’ undermines Tom Smith’s artistry.—
Angelina Villa-Clarke,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
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The America's Next Top Model creator said her name was a joint effort from her family after her mother simplified a moniker that the model’s grandmother had chosen.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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This species has no fragrance; its lavender appellation simply acknowledges its flower color while its rosemary epithet indicates its seacoast habitat.—
Joshua Siskin,
Orange County Register,
22 Mar. 2025
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More than a decade after Breaking Bad ended, Aaron Paul still can’t escape his character’s signature epithet.—
John Russell,
People.com,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The names: Off-Roadeo Arches and Off-Roadeo Cliffhanger are meant to celebrate the Moab area and Bronco Off-Roadeo Moab.—
Jamie L. LaReau,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
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The name Henry Creel alone will likely ring alarm bells for Stranger Things fans who will recall witnessing a condensed version of the teen’s backstory in season 4.—
Emlyn Travis,
EW.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Emily, who didn't share her surname, lives in the Midwest with her 11 cats.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Apr. 2025
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Yes, his surname is definitely a little tribute to Jon.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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And now that momentum will need to be carried on by another title or this massive patch.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
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The Florida Panthers will officially begin their Stanley Cup playoff run — and their chance to win back-to-back titles — on the road.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
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This crossover is fully electric, so the alphanumeric nomenclature can't refer to engine displacement—and not horsepower, either.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
Ars Technica,
24 Mar. 2025
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This crossover is fully electric, so the alphanumeric nomenclature can't refer to engine displacement—and not horsepower, either.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
Ars Technica,
24 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cognomen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cognomen. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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