Answer by
ferfer72 (2623)
It came from a mispronunciation of the Old English word "ekename". Ekename can also be spelled "an eke name". It literally means "an additional name". The Old English word "eaca" meant "an increase". The word "eacian" meant "to increase". "Eke" was related to "eaca" and "eacian" like "flame" and "flammable" are related in today's English.
