surnommer

Surnommer is a French verb meaning to give someone a nickname or to nickname someone. It is transitive and commonly used to refer to informal appellations derived from appearance, behavior, or deeds. The related noun is surnom, meaning nickname.

Conjugation and usage: present tense forms are je surnomme, tu surnommes, il surnomme, nous surnommons, vous surnommez, ils surnomment. The passé composé is formed with avoir: j'ai surnommé, tu as surnommé, il a surnommé, nous avons surnommé, vous avez surnommé, ils ont surnommé. Surnommer is typically used with people, and can also apply to animals or, less often, places or objects when a nickname is widely recognized. Examples include il est surnommé le Tigre, elle est surnommée la Rousse, or on l'a surnommé le Professeur. The nickname is usually presented as a predicative noun phrase rather than a direct object.

Etymology and nuance: the verb derives from sur- plus nommer (to name), literally conveying the sense of giving an additional or subsequent name. It is distinct from nommer in ordinary naming and from terms like pseudonyme (pen name or alias) or surnom in literary or formal contexts. In historical, journalistic, or colloquial usage, surnommer often emphasizes reputation, notoriety, or distinctive character associated with the person or subject being nicknamed. See also surnom, pseudonyme, épithète.