'nickel' originates from German, specifically the word 'Kupfernickel,' where 'Kupfer' meant 'copper' and 'Nickel' was a diminutive of 'Nikolaus,' referring to a mischievous sprite.

'Kupfernickel' transformed into the English word 'nickel' in the 18th century, referring to the metal.

Initially, it referred to a copper-colored ore, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of the metal and the coin.