Surnoms

Surnoms, the plural of the French word surnom, refer to informal names used to identify or characterize a person or group, rather than official names. In English, the closest equivalents are nicknames or epithets. Surnoms are distinct from official names: given name (prenom) and family name (nom de famille) designate legal identity, while a surnom arises from social usage and can change over time.

Etymology: The word derives from sur- “over” plus nom “name,” historically used to distinguish people who shared a given name, functioning as a byname or sobriquet.

Types and usage: Surnoms may reference appearance, personality, origin, occupation, accomplishments, or a memorable anecdote. They can be affectionate, humorous, ironic, or disrespectful. They are common in families, peer groups, workplaces, sports teams, literature, and media. In many cultures, a surname cannot convey the same social information as a nickname.

Formation and examples: Examples include descriptive nicknames like “the Brave,” “the Tall,” or “the Quick,” or origin-based ones like “the Parisian.” In French history and literature, figures receive epithets such as “Charlemagne” (Charles the Great). In modern usage, celebrities may accumulate multiple surnoms in press or fan communities.

Related terms: Related concepts include sobriquet, epithet, pseudonym, nom de plume, and nom de scène. Surnoms reflect identity, social belonging, and historical context, and they may be cherished, contested, or regulated.