The present article introduces a recently published dictionary of Russian nicknames by famous lexicographers Harry Walter and V. M. Mokienko. The dictionary is the first summary (comprehensive) work in Russia for such specific lexical group. The dictionary describes traditional folk, as well as present-day nicknames of famous people. Based on only one group of nicknames as secondary nominations, the study focuses on concrete models of nomination, mechanisms of motivation, as well as on specifics of functioning of nicknames in the modern Russian language. Conclusion is made about principal closeness of nicknames to small forms of urban folklore.