Nick
late Middle English: of unknown origin.
wiktionary
The noun is derived from Late Middle English nik(“notch, tally; nock of an arrow”). [1] Its further etymology is unknown; a connection with nock(“notch in a bow to hold the bowstring; notch at the rear of an arrow that fits the bowstring; cleft in the buttocks”) has not been clearly established. [2]
The verb appears to be derived from the noun, though the available evidence shows that some of the verb senses predate the noun senses. No connection with words in Germanic languages such as Danish nikke(“to nod”), Middle Dutch nicken(“to bend; to bow”) (modern Dutch knikken(“to nod”)), Middle Low German nicken(“to bend over; to sink”), Middle High German nicken(“to bend; to depress”) (modern German nicken(“to nod”)), Middle Low German knicken(“to bend; to snap”) (modern German knicken(“to bend; to break”), Old Frisian hnekka(“to nod”), and Swedish nicka(“to nod”), has been clearly established. [3]
From nick(name).
A variant of nix or nixie.
etymonline
nick (n.)
"notch, groove, slit," mid-15c., nik, nyke, a word of unknown origin, possibly from a variant of Old French niche (see niche). Nick of time is first attested 1640s (nick of opportunity is 1610s), possibly from an old custom of recording time as it passed by making notches on a tally stick, though nick in the general sense of "critical moment" is older (1570s, Hanmer, who adds "as commonly we say") than the phrase. Nick (n.) specifically as "notch of a tally" is attested from late 15c.
nick (v.)
1520s, "to make a notch or notches in," from nick (n.). Sense of "to steal" is from 1869, probably from earlier slang sense of "to catch, take unawares, arrest" (1620s). The precise sense connection is unclear. Related: Nicked; nicking.
Nick
masc. proper name, familiar form of Nicholas. As "the devil" by 1640s, but the reason for that is obscure. Perhaps in this sense it is related to Middle English nycker, niker "water demon, water sprite, mermaid," from Old English nicor (see nixie).
