An extra personal name, especially a nickname or an additional name beyond a person's given name, or in ancient Rome, the family surname.
From Latin 'cognomen,' literally meaning 'additional name,' from 'co-' (together) and 'nomen' (name). In Roman naming conventions, it was the third part of a citizen's name indicating family or achievement.
Roman names were like a resume written on your forehead! A cognomen could be inherited (like 'Africanus' meaning 'conqueror of Africa') or could describe something about you, so it literally advertised your family's greatest accomplishment every time someone said your name.
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