Here's how it evolved:
1. "Monikos" was used in medieval times to refer to a single, distinguishing mark or sign.
2. This usage evolved into "monicker" in English, meaning "a nickname or a distinctive name."
The word first appeared in the early 19th century and was initially used in American English. It gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, becoming a common slang term.
So, the next time you hear someone call someone else by their "moniker," you can trace the word back to its Greek origins and its unique ability to capture the individual's personality or character.