'sobriquet' originates from French, specifically the word 'sobriquet', where 'sous-' meant 'under' and 'briquet' meant 'a tap or a blow'.

'sobriquet' changed from the French word 'sobriquet' and eventually became the modern English word 'sobriquet'.

Initially, it meant 'a tap or a blow', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a nickname'.