Why did Odysseus tell the cyclops his name was Norman?

Odysseus actually told the Cyclops his name was "Nobody," not "Norman." This clever ruse was part of his strategy to outsmart the Cyclops, Polyphemus. When Odysseus blinded Polyphemus and he called for help, he told the other Cyclopes that "Nobody" was attacking him, preventing them from coming to his aid. This tactic allowed Odysseus and his men to escape from the cave without immediate retaliation.