Just about every superhero has a nickname, be it Hulk, Nightwing, Black Widow, and so on. Every hero is called something, whether they have a secret identity or not. However, sometimes their names are too bulky or don't roll off the tongue nicely, and in these cases, they've acquired a nickname from others.

Related: DC's 10 Greatest Heroes With The Stupidest Names, Ranked

Some nicknames are pet names, others are humorous, and some are given to heroes by one of their friends. Other times, a nickname is popularized outside the comics' universe. However, regardless of how they came about, there are some that are undeniably iconic.

10 Daredevil: "The Man Without Fear" Has Been With Him From The Beginning

Marvel Comics 1000 - Daredevil

Daredevil adopted the nickname, The Man Without Fear, from the beginning of his career. It's a title that's headlined several of Daredevil's comic series and followed him into the Netflix TV show. However, Matt Murdock himself admits his nickname isn't a true reflection of his ability to feel fear.

Related: Daredevil's 10 Worst Beatdowns, Ranked

In Marvel Comics #1000, Daredevil talks about how some of the names he's been given aren't accurate. Daredevils are nicknames for people who leap before they look. However, Matt analyzes his surroundings before making his move. A bystander asks what he thinks about the name, The Man Without Fear, and Matt tells him it's funny because it isn't true. He's actually afraid all the time, and that's what makes him such an effective hero.

9 Captain America: "Cap" Is An Endearing Nickname Meant To Distance Himself From His Origins

Captain America and his alt identity, Nomad, side by side in a split image

Steve Rogers, the first Captain America, was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby in 1941. He was first published by Timely Comics, now known as Marvel Comics, and originally created to bolster American patriotism during WWII. However, Steve occasionally goes by a name that doesn't mention America.

In 1974, Steve took on the moniker, Nomad, which means 'a man without a country,' when he found out a government official (hinted at as being President Nixon) was the leader of a terrorist group. After that, Steve wanted to distance himself from American "ideals." So, while the nickname Cap is something short and fun his teammates call him, it also allows him to occasionally distance himself from a country that's changed over the years.

8 Robin: "The Boy Wonder" Debuted A Year After Batman

Comic Cover for Robin's First Appearance

About a year after Batman debuted in Detective Comics, writers Bob Kane and Bill Finger decided he needed someone to talk to. It wasn't fun watching Batman talk to himself all the time. He needed a Watson to his Sherlock, and thus, Robin the Boy Wonder was born.

The Boy Wonder nickname has been with Robin since his first introduction in Detective Comics #38. The title remained throughout Dick Grayson's tenure as Robin but has been used for the other male Robins such as Jason Todd, Tim Drake, and Damian Wayne. As Dick grew older and joined the Teen Titans, his nickname changed to Robin the Teen Wonder. It's hard to find a duo as iconic as Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder.

7 Iron Man: "Shellhead" Is Iconic And Hilarious

Iron Man in his Bleeding Edge armor

Tony Stark has taken on many names over the years, including Iron Man, Stark Industries CEO, The Iron Avenger, Tony Stank, and many more. However, his most beloved nickname is Shellhead.

The name Shellhead is iconic. It's been used throughout the comics for years and was even used by Black Widow during Avengers: Age of Ultron. Taking one of the richest men on the planet – and one of Earth's mightiest heroes – and giving him a name like Shellhead is hilarious. Given the number of funny nicknames Tony's bestowed upon his fellow Avengers over the years, he deserves his own.

6 Batman & Robin: "The Dynamic Duo" Are The Trailblazers Of Superhero Pairings

Batman and Robin read their own DC comic

Peanut butter and jelly. Pineapple and pizza. Batman and Robin. They're all iconic pairings (controversial pizza toppings aside). Robin's introduction in 1940 marked a huge change in comics. The Dynamic Duo, which referenced Batman and Robin as a crime-fighting pair, was the first time a superhero had a sidekick.

Related: 5 Ways Batman Works Better With Robin (& 5 Why He's Better Alone)

The Dynamic Duo were trailblazers who'd eventually influence other teams such as Aquaman and Aqualad, Flash and Kid Flash, Wonder Woman and Wonder Girl, and Green Arrow and Speedy. The Dynamic Duo has been fighting crime together for over 80 years, and it looks like they'll be around for another 80. (Maybe Batman will be on his 12th Robin by that point...)

5 The Flash: "The Scarlet Speedster" References How His Suit Blurs When He Runs

The Flash's costume shredding in Flashpoint

There are multiple versions of The Flash; however, Barry Allen is arguably the most iconic, and he wasn't even the first one. The original title goes to Jay Garrick back in 1940. While The Flash has been called The Fastest Man Alive, Crimson Comet, and more, his most popular nickname is The Scarlet Speedster.

When The Flash engages his super speed, his red suit creates a distorted-looking red blur, which is what gave him his iconic name. Any nicknames with alliteration are always fantastic, but 'The Scarlet Speedster' is without compare. Also, anything is better than calling him 'The Streak,' which is what Iris did back in Season 1 of The Flash. She really needed to take notes from Cisco when it came to nicknames.

4 Deadpool: "The Merc With The Mouth" Highlights His Chatty Nature

Deadpool holding a gun in Marvel Comics

Deadpool is known for two specific things: being extremely violent and not having a filter when it comes to what he says. (A close third is his love of chimichangas).

Most mercenaries are dark, brooding, and strike fear into anyone who crosses their path; and although villains are certainly scared of Deadpool, it's not for any of those reasons. Deadpool will talk about anything, at any time, and never worry about whether it's important at that moment. He often breaks the fourth wall to tell readers exactly what's going on in his head, in extreme detail. It's for this reason he's lovingly referred to as the merc with the mouth.

Spider-Man Secret Identity header

Spider-Man has enjoyed a slew of nicknames over the years, including Wall Crawler, Web Slinger, Tiger, and Web Head. In J. Jonah Jameson's case, 'Menace to Society' was favored. However, without a doubt, Spidey is Spider-Man's most popular nickname.

Spider-Man was first introduced to the world of Marvel Comics in 1962 by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko. At that point, there weren't any teen heroes who weren't sidekicks. As a result, Spidey's debut marked a whole new kind of superhero comic: one that balanced big action with teenage angst and romance. In that sense, Spidey is a trailblazer.

2 Superman: "The Man Of Steel" Fits Him Perfectly

Superman flying from the sun

As the first superhero ever created for DC Comics, Superman is a tough act to follow in the powers department. Due to his invulnerability, he's been called The Man of Steel on numerous occasions. Of course, despite his infamous weakness to Kryptonite and susceptibility to magic, The Man of Steel title fits him perfectly.

Related: 10 Best Supporting Characters In Superman Comics

His nickname is so popular it made the title of the film Man of Steel in 2013, which starred Henry Cavill. Superman's first on-screen appearance was back in 1948; however, Man of Steel marked the first time the word "Superman" wasn't used in the title of the movie. When a nickname can replace a name like Superman so seamlessly, its iconic nature speaks for itself.

1 Batman: "The Dark Knight" Strikes Fear Into The Hearts Of Gotham's Criminals

Batman Urban Legends 17 header

When it comes to superhero nicknames, there isn't one more iconic than The Dark Knight. Batman's had other nicknames such as the Caped Crusader or the World's Greatest Detective, but there's really no beating The Dark Knight.

2008's The Dark Knight film by director Christopher Nolan was the second in The Dark Knight Trilogy. The movie series gave viewers a much darker take on a hero who'd once carried Bat-Shark-Repellent on his utility belt. While a name like The Caped Crusader may have been good for a time, nothing strikes fear into the hearts of superstitious and cowardly criminals like The Dark Knight.

Next: 10 Marvel Heroes Who Are More Powerful Than Their Names Imply