This noun denotes a citizen of Antioch, one of several cities bearing that name in the ancient world. Luke uses it in Acts 6:5 to identify Nicolas as 'a proselyte from Antioch,' distinguishing him from the other six deacons. Antioch of Syria was a major early Christian center where believers were first called Christians (Acts 11:26). Spanish 'Antiochenós,' French 'Antiochien,' and German preservation of the Greek all indicate geographic origin. This ethnic/geographic identifier establishes Nicolas's background as a Gentile convert to Judaism who then became Christian.