Updating individual nicknames via profile fails
Trying to update the contact nickname for individual contacts who already have a nickname via update multiple contacts doesn't work. You can go through the whole process, but in the end nothing will actually be changed in the contact records. However, organizations can be updated with this method.
Steps: Select individual contacts who have nicknames, update multiple contacts, select a profile with nickname, change nicknames as desired, submit.
Result: Process appears to complete as normal. No change to nicknames. Tested on 5.7.3, 5.10, 5.12.alpha1 on Drupal, though some report this does work on 5.9
Note that you can still change the nickname on the contact profile.
https://civicrm.stackexchange.com/questions/28409/cant-change-individual-nickname-via-profile