surnominal
Surnominal is a term encountered in onomastics and linguistics with no single, widely accepted definition. In practice, it has been used in two related senses. As an adjective, surnominal describes phenomena connected with nicknames or sobriquets, especially when a nickname functions as a secondary or informal name for a person or entity. As a noun, it can refer to a nickname or alias itself. The term is uncommon in standard dictionaries, and its precise meaning can vary by author.
Etymology: Surnominal derives from the Old French surnom, meaning nickname, plus the English suffix -al. The
Usage: Because of its rarity and variable sense, most writers favor established terms such as nickname, sobriquet,
See also: onomastics; nickname; sobriquet; epithet; prenominal; postnominal.