And for those people in the far future that run across this thread looking for an actual answer.. you can pad a nickname/channel name with 2 self cancelling control codes.
Example: instead of **JoeBob** just use **^b^bJoeBob^b^b**.
^b being control + b, the bold character, not visible when doubled and not obstructive in the recognition of the nickname by the "FINGER thing".
