cognomen

/kɒɡˈnɒmɛn/ or /kɔɡˈnɒmɛn/

Definitions

1. noun

A person’s surname or family name, especially one that is used to distinguish a person from others with the same given name, or a name that was added to an individual’s nomenclature to signify their status, achievement, or relationship to a particular group or family.

“The Roman poet known by his cognomen ‘Virgil’ is one of the most celebrated poets of ancient Rome.”

Synonyms

  • epithet
  • name
  • surname

Antonyms

  • given name
  • initial