Apodo vs. sobrenombre vs. mote
The Spanish words 'apodo', 'sobrenombre', and 'mote' all refer to the concept of a 'nickname', but they are used differently depending on varying situations and contexts.
Apodo
'Apodo' is commonly used to refer to a nickname that has been earned by a characteristic behavior or physical attribute of a person. It's often used among friends and family or in a social context.
A mi hermana le pusieron el apodo de "Girasol" porque siempre está sonriente.
(My sister got the nickname 'Sunflower' because she is always smiling.)
Debido a su rapidez, sus amigos le dieron el apodo de "Relámpago".
(Due to his speed, his friends gave him the nickname 'Lightning'.)
Sobrenombre
'Sobrenombre' is often used almost interchangeably with 'apodo'. But it's more formal and is sometimes used in professional or official contexts, like pen names for authors or stage names for actors.
El escritor Samuel Clemens usaba el sobrenombre de "Mark Twain".
(The writer Samuel Clemens used the nickname 'Mark Twain'.)
Elvis Presley es un sobrenombre; su verdadero nombre era Elvis Aaron Presley.
('Elvis Presley' is a stage name; his real name was Elvis Aaron Presley.)
Mote
'Mote' is also equivalent to 'nickname' but tends to be used more in rural or traditional communities across Spain (less common in Latin America). Sometimes, it points to something humorous or playful.
"El Gordo" es el mote cariñoso que tienen para él en el pueblo.
('The Fatty' is the friendly nickname they have for him in the village.)
"La Chata" es un mote tradicional en algunas regiones de España.
('Flat-Nose' is a traditional nickname in some regions of Spain.)
Summary
'Apodo', 'sobrenombre', and 'mote', all mean nickname, yet they are used under different circumstances. While 'apodo' hint at personal characteristics and are familiar, 'sobrenombre' lean towards formal contexts such as stage names. And, ‘mote’ tend towards the humorous side, found more commonly in rural Spain.