noun
sumo wrestler's ring name
A professional sumo wrestler's fighting name, used in the ring and in official contexts. Often chosen to sound powerful or auspicious.
彼のしこ名は「朝青龍」だ。
His ring name is 'Asashōryū'.
力士は入門すると新しいしこ名をもらう。
A wrestler receives a new ring name when he joins a stable.
The origin is uncertain. The kanji 四股名 is ateji, using characters phonetically. The word may be related to 醜 (shiko, 'ugly'), possibly from an old practice of using humble or unflattering names, but this is not confirmed.