64 Famous Nicknames In History

Feb 16, 2024 By Akinwalere Olaleye

Originally Published on Jan 11, 2023

Edited by Lara Simpson

Fact-checked by Deeti Gupta

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Read time: 5.4 Min

It is exciting to know how personalities got some of the most famous nicknames in history.

Why famous nicknames in history?

History is more than just an important academic subject. Reading and knowing history is also exciting because it gives a vivid idea of the ever-changing realities of life.

History is rich with immense knowledge and amazing stories. A significant part of human history is dedicated to the many inspiring and powerful personalities who become leaders and public figures due to their efforts and talents.

Many of these influential people are referred to by their famous nicknames as a tribute to their skill and accomplishments. Famous historical and professional figures have impressive nicknames highlighting their outstanding capabilities. Reading peculiar monikers might also generate intrigue among people about knowing their origins.

You can find a wide collection of nicknames of famous personalities from both American and world history in this article. Familiarizing with the monikers can help you understand the events that led to some human beings being immortalized.

Nicknames Of Famous Personalities In History

1. Buffalo Bill - American soldier and bison hunter, William Frederick Cody, had this nickname.

2. Godfather of Grunge - a nickname of singer-songwriter Neil Percival Young.

3. King of Pop - the nickname of one of the biggest 20th-century personalities, Michael Jackson.

4. King of Rock and Roll - Elvis Presley was given this nickname.

5. Lilibet - the nickname of Queen Elizabeth II, used by family members.

6. Little Corporal - a nickname of the famous Napoleon Bonaparte.

7. Netaji - an honorific title of Subhas Chandra Bose.

8. The Bard of Avon - a pet name of William Shakespeare, implying 'great poet'.

9. The Great Asparagus - referring to the height of Charles de Gaulle. He was also called La Grande Zohra.

10. The Impaler - refers to Vlad III, a 15th-century Voivode of Wallachia.

11. The Lion of the North - the nickname of Swedish King Gustav II Adolf.

12. Prince of Martyrs - a nickname of Bhagat Singh, the charismatic Indian freedom fighter.

13. The Purple One - a nickname for Prince Rogers Nelson, referring to his album 'Purple Rain'.

14. The Queen of the Bees - was the nickname of Anne Louise Benedict de Bourbon-Conde.

15. The Universal Spider - King Louis XI of France who could plot exceptional schemes.

Political Nicknames in History

16. ABC - a nickname given to Andrew Browne Cunningham during World War II.

17. British Bulldog - the nickname of Sir Winston Churchill, a former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

18. Honest Abe - a nickname of the 16th US president, Abraham Lincoln.

19. Ike - refers to an American army general named Dwight David Eisenhower.

20. Little Potato - a nickname for Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau from China.

21. Martin Van Ruin - the nickname of Martin Van Buren, who became the eighth US president during an economic collapse.

22. Rutherfraud - was the nickname of the 19th president of the United States, Rutherford B. Hayes.

23. Snarlin' Arlen - a nickname given to Arlen Specter, the Republican member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

24. The Father of our Country - the nickname given to the first president of the United States, George Washington.

25. The Governator - the nickname of Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger.

26. The Great Emancipator - another nickname for Abraham Lincoln.

27. The Iron Lady - a nickname of Margaret Thatcher, the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

28. The Pale Moth - a nickname given to Russian president Vladimir Putin during his time in the KGB.

29. Uncle Ho - a nickname of the former Vietnamese Prime Minister and president, Hồ Chí Minh.

30. Unconditional Surrender Grant - was the nickname of the former Civil War General Ulysses S. Grant.

Greatest Nicknames in Football History

31. Amish Rifle - was the given name of Ryan Fitzpatrick.

32. Big Cat - the title of Fort Valley State Wildcats' Rayfield Wright, owing to his agility.

33. Bullet Bob - was the nickname of one of the greatest footballers, Bob Hayes.

34. Contact - was the nickname of the line breaker Willie Lanier.

35. Gunslinger - was the nickname of Brett Favre.

36. Hoodie - was the nickname of quarterback Bill Belichick.

37. Hopalong - was the nickname of the iconic Howard Albert Cassady.

38. Johnny Football - is the nickname of quarterback Johnathan Paul Manziel.

39. Matty Ice - was the nickname of Matt Ryan.

40. Muscle Hamster - was the nickname of running back Doug Martin.

41. Mutton Chop - was the earned nickname of Terrance Knighton.

42. Optimus Prime - Richard Sherman took this nickname.

43. Prime Time - was the iconic nickname for Deion Sanders.

44. Red Rifle - was the nickname of the redheaded quarterback Andy Dalton.

45. The Dodger - the nickname of former NFL quarterback Roger Staubach.

46. The Freezer - a nickname taken by Busari Alamu Raji Jr.

47. Tombstone - was the nickname of legendary defensive lineman Rich Jackson.

Famous Nickname in Sports History

48. AK-47 - this nickname incorporates former basketball player Andrei Kirilenko's initials.

49. Big Ben - the nickname of NFL quarterback Benjamin Todd Roethlisberger Sr.

50. Flo-Jo - was the nickname of track and field sprinter Florence Griffith Joyner.

51. Marvelous - professional boxer Marvin Nathaniel Hagler was given this nickname.

52. Megatron - was the nickname of Calvin Johnson Jr., a former NFL wide receiver.

53. Mr. October - was the nickname of the Hall of Fame baseball player Reggie Jackson.

54. Smokin' Joe - was the nickname of iconic boxer Joseph William Frazier.

55. The Assassin - NFL player Jack Tatum was given as a reference to his style of play.

56. The Chief - was the nickname of the basketball player Robert Lee Parish.

57. The Dominator - the nickname of a former ice hockey player, Dominik Hašek.

58. The Flying Dutchman - baseball player Johannes Peter Wagner, was given this nickname.

59. The Golden Jet - the nickname of a former ice hockey player, Robert Marvin Hull.

60. The Intimidator - was the nickname of the stock car driver Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr.

61. The Microwave - The NBA might remember this nickname of Vinnie Johnson.

62. The Nigerian Nightmare - this nickname was given to the great NFL running back Christian Okoye.

63. The Rock - nickname of former WWE wrestler and actor Dwayne Johnson.

64. The Spider - The MMA fans love to refer to Anderson da Silva by this nickname.

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Sources

https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2016/11/ranked-world-leaders-with-the-best-nicknames/508154/

https://gizmodo.com/top-10-most-excellent-nicknames-in-history-1733946870/amp

https://ctstatelibrary.org/access-services/nicknames/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Nicknames_of_politicians

https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/nicknames-of-famous-personalities-from-india-and-around-the-world-1617049-2019-11-08

https://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2013/07/20/202961821/5-memorable-nicknames-and-the-politicians-they-stuck-to

https://atkinsbookshelf.wordpress.com/tag/nicknames-of-famous-people-from-history/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_North_American_football_nicknames

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Written by Akinwalere Olaleye

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

Akinwalere OlaleyeBachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

As a highly motivated, detail-oriented, and energetic individual, Olaleye's expertise lies in administrative and management operations. With extensive knowledge as an Editor and Communications Analyst, Olaleye excels in editing, writing, and media relations. Her commitment to upholding professional ethics and driving organizational growth sets her apart. She has a bachelor's degree in English Literature from the University of Benin, Edo State.

Read full bio >

Fact-checked by Deeti Gupta

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

Deeti GuptaBachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

A detail-oriented fact-checker with a research-oriented approach. Devika has a passion for creative writing, she has been published on multiple digital publishing platforms and editorials before joining the Kidadl team. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from St.Xavier's College, Deeti has won several accolades and writing competitions throughout her academic career.

Read full bio >

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