1 vote Vote for this answer. It is believed he was given this nickname as a young man. Abraham Lincoln worked in a small store as a clerk. Once a person came to buy an item and Abraham Lincoln did not give him the correct amount in change.Abraham Lincoln walked a long distance to give this person the correct amount of change.After this incident, it is believed that Abraham Lincoln was called “Honest Abe.”.http://k3hss.pwnet.org/kgrade/k_1a.htm.nce a person came to buy an item and Abraham Lincoln did not give him the correct amount in change. Abraham Lincoln walked a long distance to give this person the correct amount of change. After this incident, it is believed that Abraham Lincoln was called “Honest Abe.”. http://k3hss.pwnet.org/kgrade/k_1a.htm.