epithet
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epithet
An additional name given to a person, usually pointing to a special quality, origin, or achievement. It is often better known than the actual surname.
Karl der Große erhielt seinen Beinamen aufgrund seiner bedeutenden Herrschaft.
Charlemagne received his epithet because of his significant rule.
'Beiname' (epithet) is made up of the prefix 'bei-' and the noun 'Name' (name). Here, 'bei-' means 'additional' or 'alongside,' so a Beiname is literally an 'additional name.'
Viele Herrscher im Mittelalter sind heute eher unter ihrem Beinamen als unter ihrem vollen Namen bekannt.
Many rulers in the Middle Ages are known today more by their epithet than by their full name.
Common verbs used with 'Beiname' (epithet) are 'tragen' (to bear/carry), 'erhalten' (to receive), or 'bekommen' (to get) when the person is the subject. When someone gives the name, you use 'jemandem einen Beinamen geben' (to give someone an epithet).
Er erhielt den Beinamen „der Schweigsame“, weil er so wenig redete.
He received the epithet 'the Silent' because he spoke so little.
Epithets are especially typical for historical figures. They often follow the pattern 'first name + der/die + adjective,' as in 'Friedrich der Große' (Frederick the Great) or 'Katharina die Große' (Catherine the Great).
Der englische König Richard I. trug den Beinamen „Löwenherz“.
The English king Richard I bore the epithet 'Lionheart.'
nickname
Both words refer to an additional name for a person. A „Spitzname“ usually arises informally in a personal setting and can be funny or familiar. A „Beiname“ is more likely to point to a quality, origin, or achievement and is often publicly or historically known.
Der mittelalterliche König war in den Chroniken unter dem Beinamen „der Weise“ bekannt.
The medieval king was known in the chronicles by the epithet “the Wise.”
Seine Freunde gaben ihm wegen seiner roten Haare den Spitznamen „Feuerkopf“.
Because of his red hair, his friends gave him the nickname “Firehead.”
