Cognomen

Quick meaning: Cognomen is a noun meaning (literary or humorous) Synonym of nickname, any epithet used similar to the Roman cognomina.

Meaning

(literary or humorous) Synonym of nickname, any epithet used similar to the Roman cognomina.

More Meanings

1. (literary or humorous, uncommon) Synonym of surname, a family name.
2. (historical) A personal epithet or clan name added to the given name and family name of Ancient Romans.

Example Sentences

Roman tradition suggests that he might also have had the cognomen Octavian to indicate his biological family.

Julius Caesar's actual name was Gaius Iulius Caesar. Gaius was his praenomen or forename, Iulius his nomen or surname, and Caesar his cognomen, denoting which part of the Iulius family he belonged to.

What's in a name? Well, to the Dragons, it would seem rather a lot, as they've tonight committed their cash to personalised products and to the man with the most famous cognomen in confectionery. I'll leave you to look that one up.

The Romans evolved a quite different system of nomenclature, which in its classical form consisted of three names, the praenomen (e.g. Marcus), nomen (e.g. Tullius), and cognomen (e.g. Cicero), and two other designations (the name of the father and of the tribe): […]

Word Forms

• cognomens
• cognomina

Synonyms for cognomen

Depending on context, synonyms include surname, nickname, moniker, sobriquet, soubriquet, last name.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include last name, soubriquet, surname, moniker, sobriquet, nickname.

Related Dictionary Tools