Here's the breakdown:
* Real Name: His real name was Alessandro di Mariano di Vanni Filipepi.
* Nickname Origin: "Botticelli" is believed to have come from "Botticello," meaning "little barrel" in Italian. This could have been a reference to his father's profession (he was a tanner), as barrels were used in the tanning process.
* Nickname Usage: It's unclear exactly when the nickname "Botticelli" became popular, but it was widely used during his lifetime. He even signed some of his works with this name.
Therefore, "Botticelli" is a nickname given to Alessandro di Mariano di Vanni Filipepi due to his father's profession or possibly his physical appearance.