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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Monday Night Brewing Garden Co. The vibe: In line with its nickname, the outside of Garden Co. has a beer garden feel, complete with numerous picnic tables and fire pits.—
McKenzie Rankin,
Axios,
10 Mar. 2025
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Swisher was referring to Trump’s derisive nickname for Warren, Pocahontas, last aimed at her during his address last Tuesday night.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
8 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The perfumer, whose moniker is the Master of Disorder, has previously dreamed up scents for labels including Amouage, Comme des Garçons and Penhaligon’s.—
Lily Templeton,
WWD,
4 Mar. 2025
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Turner, who goes by them/they pronouns, took the opportunity to differentiate the new moniker from their previous one.—
Zoey Lyttle,
People.com,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The reply of my friend and hunting companion was one of those quaint, rasping epithets which only a cowman can manage when everything has gone wrong.—
Frank C. Hibben,
Outdoor Life,
27 Feb. 2025
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There were reports of death threats, along with racial epithets, directed at him.—
Louisa Thomas,
The New Yorker,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Ice Spice’s varsity jacket featured the label’s name in block letters across the chest, as well as padded shoulders.—
Hannah Malach,
WWD,
6 Mar. 2025
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When experts in your field recognize your name, their followers notice you too.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
Noun
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As reported by the Daily Mail and by People, the official surname for the British royal family, including for Meghan and Harry, is Mountbatten-Windsor.—
Martha Ross,
The Mercury News,
7 Mar. 2025
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The innies didn’t even get surnames; they were identified by their first names and an opening initial: Mark S., Helly R.—
Katy Waldman,
The New Yorker,
6 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The victory was never in doubt for the No. 3 Huskies, who led wire-to-wire to secure their fifth consecutive Big East Tournament title and their 12th in a row including seven years in the American Athletic Conference from 2014-20.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
11 Mar. 2025
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The Huskies earned their 23rd Big East tournament title with a 70-50 win, ensuring all of their streaks live on for at least another day.—
Sabreena Merchant,
The Athletic,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
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As that lengthy nomenclature suggests, this is a powerful, capable, well-rounded UTV.—
Tim Stevens,
Ars Technica,
11 Feb. 2025
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Layering these clothes, regardless of tonal nomenclature, allows for striking sartorial statements with minimal effort.—
Tom Stubbs,
Robb Report,
23 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cognomen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cognomen. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
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