Where did Auburn University get their mascot name come from?

Upon entering college in1949 everyone called the college Auburn. It was just too much to say Alabama Polytechnic Institute or even write it on a check. Besides just spelling Polytechnic was a chore so if the official name was used at all it was shortened to API.

At that time, it was as if the city of Auburn was named after the school. At football games the cheer leaders would lead with the yell: AU -- BU -- RN and the stadium would join in Auburn, Auburn, Auburn. There was only one college at the time. That other school was called a University.